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THE 



WORKS 



O F 

Michael Drayton, Efq; 

VOL. III. 

CONTAINING, 
The remaining Twenty-two Songs of the 

POLY-OLBION, 

t 

With the Annotations of the learned Selden^ 




LONDON: 

?|-inted for W. R e e v at Sbakejpear^ Hea4 

in Fket^ftreet. 1753. ^ 



:,'if -ty' 



^^H 



•( 825 ) 



POL T-O L B I O N: 

The NINTH SONG. 

The Argument. 

^he mufe here Merioneth vaunts^ 
And her proud mountains highly chaunts. 
^he hills and brooks j to bravery benty 
Stand for precedence from defcent : 
The rivers for themfhewing there 
■ \ The wonders of their Pimble-mere. 
Proud Snowdon glorioufly proceeds 
With Cambrians native princes deeds. 
The mufe then through Caernarvon makes^ 
AndMon (now Angle fey) awakes 
To tell her ancient Druides guife^ 
* And manner of their facrifice. 
. Her rillets fhe together calls 5 
Then back for Flint and Denbigh falls. 

OF all the Cambrian (hires their heads that bear lb high. 
And farth'ft furvey their foils with an ambitious eye, 
Mer vinia * for her hills, as for their matchlefs crowds, 
The neareft that are faid to ki(s the wandering clouds, 
Efpecial audience craves, offended \5^ith the throng. 
That (he of all the reft neglefted was fo long : 
Alledging for herfelf ; when through the Saxons pride. 
The godlike race of Brute to Sevei-n*s fetting fide 
Were cruelly -inforcM, her mountains did relieve 
Jhofe, whom devouring war elfe every-where ^d grieve. 

And 

> McriQnethihirCf 



826 POL r^O L B'fO N: 

And when all Wales befide (by fortune or by might) 
Unto bar ancient foe refign'd her ancient right, 
▲ conftant m^m flill (he only did remmn, 

' %. The laft her genuine laws which ftoutly did retain. 
And as ttch one is prais'd for her peculiar things'; 

. So only flic is rich, in mountMis, meres, and ^rings. 
And holds herfelf as great in her fuperfluous wafte. 
As others by their towns, and fruitful tillage ^c'd. 
And therefore, to recount her rivers, from their ^ iins, 
Abrid^ng all delays, Mervinia thus begins ; 

^ ^ Though Dovy, which doth ftr her neighbouring floods 
* furmount 

* (Whole coijrfe for hers alone Montgomery doth account) 

* Hath "" Angel for her own, and Keriog Ihe doth clear, 

< With Towin, Gwedal then, add Dulas, all as de^r, 

< Thoie tributary fixeams fljuc is m^ntain'd withall : 

* Yet, boldly may I fay, her rifing and her fall 

« My country callethhcrs, with n^any another brook, 

< That with their cryftal ^es on the Ver^vian look. 

* To Dovv neaft, of which Pcfunny fca-ward drives, 
.« lia^rrif goes done : but plenteous Avon drives 

* I'he firft to be at fca 5 and fafter her to hie, 

* Clear Keflilgum comes if!„ with mergu^ by a^ by. 

< So Decry, Moothy drawa» and Moothy calleth Cain, 
,* WhidMn ondich^neLnMet, in going to the main, 

^ As to their utmoft power to lend her all their aids ; 
^ So A^ by^e arm L^aobedcr kindly leads. 
« ^Ln<l Vekwrid the like, obferving th*other's kw, 

* Calls Cuxmcl •, flie again, fair Drurid forth doth draw, 

* That from thdr OK^w- earth, the roi^b Mervinia, pay 

< Their ts^xpi plenteous fprings, qnto dh^ lefler bay 
^ §. Of thofe two iH>ble auns.into the land that bear, 

* Which ijiropgh ^ Gwinetl^sk be fi> &mous every where, 
>Oo my Caernawon fide by nature m^e my mound, 

* As Dovy doth divide the Cacdagaaian ground. 

* The 
^ Mem or Pools, from whence | into th; Iri&fea. 
^ymfytmg. \ « Mortb^ivakt*. 

« Tbe liven it in ttdcr they 611 1 






seNG THB NINTH. 827 

' The pearly Conway's head, as that of holy Dee, 
' Renowned rivers both, tlicir rifing have in me : 
' So^ Lavernand the Lue, thejnfelves that headlong throw 

* § Into the fpacious lake, where Dec unn)ixt doth flow. 

* Trowerrin takies his ftream, here from a native lin ; 

' Which, out ofPimble-mere when Dee himfelf doth win, 

* Along with him his lord full courteoufly doth glide: 
' So Rudock rifeth here, and Cletor that do guide 

' Him in his rugged path, and make his greatnefs way, 

* rheir Dee into the bounds of Denbigh to convey.* 

The lofty hills, this while attentively that ftood. 
As to furvey the courfe of every feveral flood, 
Sent forth fuch echoing fliouts (which every way (b Ihrill, 
With the reverberate found the fpacious air did fill)- 
That they were easMy heard through the Vergivian niain 
To Neptune's inward court \ and beating there, conftraiti 
That mighty god of fea t'awake : who fiill of drpad. 
Thrice threw his three-forkt mace about his griefljr he4d| 
And thrice above the rocks his fore-head rais'd, to fee 
Amongft the high-topt hills what tumult it fhould be. 
So that with very fweat Cadoridric did drop. 
And mighty Raran (hook his proud (ky-kifTing top, 
Amongft the furious rout whom madnefs did enrage ; 
Until the mount^n-nymphs, the tumult to aiTwage^ 
Upon a modefl: fign of filcnce to the throng, 
Conforting thus, in praife of their Mervinia, ftmg ; 

^ Thrice famous Saxon king, on whom time ne'er (half 
' prey, 

* O Edgar ! who compeldft our Ludwal hence to pay 
^ Three hundred wolves a year for tribute unto thee : 

^ And for that tribute paid, as famous may'ft thou be, 
' O conquer'd Britifh king, by whom was firft deftr oy'd 

* §. I'he multitude of wolves, that long this land annpy'd ; 

* Regardlefs of their rape, that now our harmlefs flocks; 

* Securely here may fit upon the aged rocks ; 

* Or wandring from their walks, and ftraggling here and 

' there 
' Amongft the fcatter'd cliffs, the Iamb needs never fear ; 



828 POL r^O L B 10 N: 

* But from the threatning ftorm to fave itfelf may creep 

* Into that darkfbmc cave where once his foe did keep : 

* That now the clamb'ring goat all day which having fed, 
*.And chmbing up to fee the fun go down to bed, 

* Is not at all in doubt her little kid to lofe, 

f Which grazing in the vale, fecure and fafe (he knows. 
' Where, from thcfe lofty hills which fpacious heaven do 
threat, 

* Yet of as equal height, as thick by nature fet, 

* We talk how we are ftor'd, or what we greatly need, 

* Or how our flocks do fare, and how our herds do feed, 

* When elfe the hanging rocks, and valleys dark and deep, 

* The fummer's longeft day would us from meeting keep* 

' Ye.Cambrian fliepherds then, whom thcfe our moun- 
* tains pleafe, 

* And ye our fellow nymphs, ye light ' Oreadcs, 

* §. Saint Hellenes wbndrpus way, and Herbert's let us go, 
' And our divided rocks with admiration fhow/ 

Not meaning there to end, but fpeaking as they were, 
A fuddain fearful noife furprifed every ear. 
The water-nyniphs (not far) Lin-teged that frequent, 
With brows bcfrjiear'd with ooze, their locks with dew be- 

fprent. 
Inhabiting the lake, in fedgy bow'rs below. 
Their inward grounded grief that only fought to fhow 
Againfl: the mountain kind, which much on them did take. 
Above their watry brood, thus proudly them befpake ; 

* Tell us, ye haughty hills, why vainly thus you threat 

* Efteeming us fo mean, compared to you fo great ? 

< To make you know your felves, you this muft underftand, 

* That our great maker laid the furface of the land 

* As level as the lake until the general flood, 

* When over all fo long the troubled waters flood : 

* Which, hurried with the blafts from angry heaven that blew, 
*Up on hugemaflfy heaps the loofened gravel threw : 

* From hence we would ye know, your firfl: beginning came; 
*Whichfince,in traft of time,y our felves did mountains name. 

* So 

« Nymphs of the mountains. 



SONG THE NINTH; • 829 

* So that the earth, by you (to check her mirthful chear) 

' May always fee (from heaven ) thofe plagues that poured 

' were 
' Upon the former world •, as 'twere by fears to fliow 

* That ftill (he muft remain disfigured with the blow : 

* And by th'infedious flime that doomful deluge left, 

* Nature herfclf hath fince of purity been reft ; 

* And by the feeds corrupt, the life of mortal man 

' Was Ihortned. With thefe plagues ye mountains firft began. 
*But, ceaung you tolhame ; what mountain is there found ' 

* In all your monftrous kind (feek ye the ifland round) 

* That truly of himfelf fuch ^ wonders can report,. 

* As can this fpacious Lin, the place of our refort ? 

* That when Dee in his courfe fain in her lap would ly, 

* Commixtion with her (lore, his ftream fhe doth deny^ 

* By his complexion proved, as he through her doth glide. 

* Her wealth again from his, (he likewife dotk divide : 

* Thofe white-fifh that in her do wond'roufly abound, 

* Are never feen in him ; nor are his falmons found 

* At any time in her : but as (he him difdains ; 

* So he again, from her, as wilfully abftains. 

' Down from the neighbouring hills, thofe plenteous fpring? 

' that fall, 
' Nor land-floods after rain, her never move at all. 
' And as in fummer's heat, fo always ls (he one, 

* Refembling that great lake which feems to care for none ; 

* §. And with ftern ^olus' blafts, like Thetis waxing rank, 

* She only over-fwells the furfacc of her bank.* 

' But, whilft the nymphs report thefe wonders of their lake. 
Their farther caufe of fpeech the mighty ^ Snowdon brake ; 
Left, if their watry kind fhould fuffer'd be too long. 
The licence that they took, might do the mountains wrong. 
For quickly he had found that ftraitned point of land, 
Into the Iri(h fea which puts hi? powerful hand, 
Puft with their watry praifc, grew infolently proud. 
And needs would have his rills for rivers be allow'd : 

Short 

f The wondeit of Linuged, or '^ « The moft f imous mountain ot 
Pemblemere. liili \\ Ju-,, in C-^wrvaXvotv^vx^. 



«3o POL no L B iO Nt 

Short Darcnt^ hear*ft urtto the utmoft point of all 
That th'iQe of Gelin greets, and Bardfey in her fall ; 
And next to her, the Saw, the Gir, the Er, the May, 
Muft rivers be at Ittift, (hould all the world gainfay : 
And thofe, whereas the land lies eaft-ward, amply wide. 
That goodly Conway grace upon the other fide. 
Born near upon her banks, each from her proper lin , 
Soon from their mothers out, foon with their millrefs in^ 
As Ledder, her ally, and neighbour Legwy •, then 
Goes Purloyd, Caftel next, with Giffin, that agen 
Obferve fair Conway's courfe: and though their race be fliort. 
Yet they their fbvereign flood inrich with their rcfort. 
And Snowdoii, more than this, his proper mere did note 
(§. Still Detos like, whei^ein a wandring ifle doth float) 
Was p^remptdry grown upon his higher ground -, 
That pool, in which (befides)- the one-ejr'd fifh are found. 
As of her wonddr proud, did with the floods partake. 

So, when great Snowdon faw, a faftion they would make 
Againft his general kind •, both parties to appeafe, 
He purpofeth to fing their native princes praifc. 
For Snowdoay, a hill, imperial in his feat. 
Is from his mighty foot, unto his head fo great. 
That were his Wales diftreft, or of his help had need, 
He all her flocks and herds for many months could feed^ 
Therefore to do fomething were worthy of his name. 
Both tending to his ftrength, and to the Britons fame. 
His country to content, a fignal having made^ 
By this oration tlunks both parties to perfwade : 

* Whilfl: here this general ifle the ancient Britons owM, 

* Their valiant deeds before by Severn have been fliow'd : 
« But fince our furious foe, thefe powerful Saxon fwarms 

« (As mercilcfe in fpoil, as well approved in arms ) 

* Here called to our aid, Loegria us bereft, 

* Thofe poor and fcatter'd few of Brute's high lineage left, 

* For fuccour hither came ; wh^c that unmixed race 

* Remains unto this day, yet owners of this place : 

* Of whom no flood nor hill peculiarly hath fong. 

* Thefet then, fhali be my theme : left time too much 

♦ iiioukl wrong * Siurh 



SONG THE NINTH. 831 

« Such princes as were ours, fince feverM we have been ; 
« And as themfelves, their &me be limited between 
' The Severn and our fea, long pent within this place^ 

* §. Till with the term of Wel(h, the Englifli now embafc 
' The nobler Britons name, that well-near was deftroy*d 

' With peflilence and war, which this great ifle annoy'd 5 

' Cadwallader that drave to the Armorick fliore : 

« To which, dread Conan, lord of Denbigh, long before^ 

* His countrymen from hence aufpiciouQy conveyed :- 

* Whole noble feats in war, and never-failing aid, 
« Got Maximus ( at length) the \dftory in Gaul, 
*Upon the Roman powers. Where, after Gratian's fall, 

* Armorica to them the valiant viftor gave : 

* Where Conan their great lord, as full of courage, drave 

* The Celts ouft of their feats, and did their room fupply 

* §. With people ftill from hence •, which of our colony 
« Was Little Britain callM. Where that diftreffed king, 

* Cadwallader, himfelf awhile recomforting 

* With hope of Alan's aid (which there did him detam) 

* §. Forewarned was in dreams, that of the Britons rdgOi 

* A fempiternal end the angry powers decreed, 

* A reclufe life in Rome injoining lum to lead. 

^ The king refigning all, his fon young Edwal left 

* With Alan: who, muchgrievM the prince fhould be bereft 

* Of Briuun's ancient right, riggM his unconquer'd fleet j 

* And as the generals then, for fuch an army meet, 

* His nephew Ivor chofe, and Hiner for his pheer 5 

' Two moft undaunted fpirits. Thefe valiant Britons were 

* The firft who ^ Weft-fex won. But by the lingering war, 

* When they thofe Saxons found t'havc fuccour ftill from far, 

* They took them to their friends ph Severn's fetting fhorc : 

* Where finding Edwal dead, they purposM to reftore 

* His fon young Rodorick, whoni the Saxon pow'rs purfu'd: 
' But he, who at his home her^ fcorn*d to be fubdu'd, 

* With Aldred ( that on Wales his ftrong invafion brought) 
^Garthmalack, and Pencoyd (thofe famous battels) fought, 

•That 

^ The Weft-fiixons country » com- 1 Wiltfhire, and th(ir adjtcc&t9« 
pichending Defooihire, Somerret/ 



832 P L r-0 L B 10 Nf 

* ThatNorth and South- wales fing, on the Weft-fexians wort* 

* Scarce this vicStorious talk his bloody'd fword had done, 

* But at Mount * Carno met die Mercians, and with wounds 

* Made Ethclbald to feci his trefpafs on our bounds ; 

' Prevail'd againft the Pic>, before our force that flew ; 
/ And in a valiant fight their king Dalargan (lew. 

^ Nor Conan's courage lefej nor kfs prcvail'd in ouglic 
' Renowned Rodorick'5 heir, who with the Englifli fought 

* The Herefordian field ; as Ruthland's red with gore : 

* Who, to transfer the war 6*001 this his native fiiore, 

* Marcht through the Mercian towns with his revengeful, 

blade : 
« And on the Englifli there fuch mighty havock made, 
' That Offa (when he faw his countries go to wrackj 

* From bick'ring mth his folk, to keep us Britons back, 

* Caft up that mighty ^ mound of eighty miles in length 

* Athwart from.fea to fea. Which of the Mercians ftrength 

* A witnefs tho' it ftand, and Offli's name does bear, 
' Our courage was the caufe why firft he cut it there : 
*. As that moft dreadful day at Gavelford can tell, 

* Where under cither's fword fo many thoufands fell 

* With intermixed blood, tliat neither knew their own ; 

' Nor which went vidbor thence, unto this day is known. 

* Nor Kettle's conflift then, left martial courage ftiow'd, 

* Where valiant Mervin met the Mercians, and beftow'd 

* His nobler Britilh blood on Burthred's recreant flight. 

* As Rodorick his great fon, his father following right, 

* Bare not the Saxons fcorns, his Britons to out-brave -, 
' At Gwythen, but again to Burthred battel gave ; 

* Twice driving out the Dane when he invafion brought. 

* Whofe no lefs valiant fon, again at Conway fought 

* With Danes and Mercians mixt, and on their hateful head 

* Down-ftiowr*d their dire revenge whom they had murthered. 

* And, were't not that of us the Englifli would report 

* ( Abufing of our tongue in molt malicious fort 

* As. 



* A hill near Aber-gcvenny in I ^ OiFa*s Ditch,") 
Monmoath. I 



SONG THE NINTH. 833 

* As often-times they do ) that more than any, we 

* (The Welfh, as. they us term) love glorifyM to be, 

' Here could I elfe recount the flaughterM Saxons gore, 
•Our fwords ^tCrofsford fpilt on Severn's \^andring ftiore ; 

* And Griffith here produce, Lewellin's valiant fon 

' ( May we believe our Bards) who five pitcht battels won ; 

* And to revenge the wrongs the envious Englifh wrought, 

* His well-tfainM^ martial troops into the marches brought 
« As fiir as Wor'fter walls : nor thence did he retire, 

' Till Powfe lay well-near fpent in our revengeful fire ; 

* As Hereford laid wafte t and from their plenteous foils^ 
^Brought back with him to Wales his prifoners and his 

' fpoils. 

* Thus as we valiant were, when valour might us fteed : 
' With thofe fo much that dar'd, we had them that decreed. 
' For, what Mulmutian laws, or Martian, ever were 

* More excellent than thofe which our good Howel here 

* Ordain'd fo govern Wales ? which ftill with us remain. 

* And when all-powerful fate had brought to pafs again, 

* That as the Saxons erft did from the Britons win ; 

* Upon them fo (at laft) the Normans coming in, 

* Took from thofe tyrants here, what treach*roufly they got, 

* (To the perfidious French which th*angry heavens allot) 

* Ne'er could that conqueror's fword (which roughly d^ 

* decide 

* His right in England here, and proftrated her pride) 

* Us to fubjeftion ftoop, or make us Britons bear 

* Th'unwieldy Norman yoke : nor bafely could we fear 

* His conqueft, entring Wales ^ but (with ftout courage) 

* ours 

« Defy'd him to his ftce, with all his Englifli powers. 
* * And when in his revenge, proud Rufiis hither came, 

* With vows us to fubvert ; with (laughter and with fhamc, 

* 0*er Severn him we fent, to gather ftronger aid. 

* So, when to England's power, Albania hers had lay'd, 

* By Henry . Beauclark brought (for all his dev'lifli wit, ^ • 

* By whicn he raught the wreath) he not prevailed awhit : 

Hhh •And 



834 POL r^O L B 10 N: 

And through our rugged ftraits when he fo rudely preft. 

Had not his proved mail fate furely to his brcaft, 

A flcilful Britifli hand his life had him bereft. 

As his ftern brother's heart, by Tirrirs hand was cleft. 

* And let the Englifh thus, which vilify our name. 
If it their greatnefs pleafe, report unto our Ihame 
The foil our Gwyneth gave at Flint's fo deadly fight. 
To Maud the emprefs' fon, that there he put to flight 5 
§. And from the Enghfh power th'imperial enfign took : 
About his plumed head which valiant Owen fhook. 

* As when that king again, his fortune to advance 
Above his former foil, procured frefh pow'rs from France, 
A furely-level'd (haft if Sent-clear had not feen. 

And in the very loofe, not thruft himfelf between 

His fovereign and the fliaff, he our revenge had try*d : 

Thus, to preferve the king, the noble fubjeft dy'd. 

* As Madock his brave Ion, may come the refl among ; 
Who, like the God-like race from which his grandfires 

* fprong, 

Whilft here his brothers tir'd in fad dotjieltick (trife. 
On their unnatural breafts bent either's murtherous knife 1 
This brave adventurous youth, in hot purfuic of fame. 
With fucb as his great fpirit did with high deeds inflame. 
Put forth his well-rigg*d fleet to feek him foreign ground^ 
And failed weft fo long, until that world he found 
Tq cbriftians then unknown (fave this adventurous crew) 
Long ere Columbus liv'd, or it Vefpucius knew 5 
And put the now-namM Welfh on India's parched face. 
Unto the endlefs praife of Brute's renowned race. 
Ere the Iberian powers had toucht her long-fought bay, 
§. Or any ear had heard the. found of Florida. 
*§. And with tliatCroggcn's name let th'Englifh us dif- 

* grace 5 

When there arc to be feen, yet, in that ancient place 
From whence that name they fetch, their conquer'd grand- 

* fires graves : 

* For which each ignorant fot, unjufUy us depraves. 

* And 



SONG THE NINTH. 835: 

* Ahd when that tyrant John had our fubverfion vow'd, 
■ $. To his unbridled will our necks we never bow*d : 

* Nor to his mighty fon ; whofe hoft we did inforce 

* (His fuccours cutting off) to eat their war-like horfe. 

* Until all-ruling heaven would haVe us to refign : 

* When that brave prince^ the laft oFall the Britifli line, 

* Lewellin, Griffith*s fon^ unluckily was flain, 

' §. As fate had fpar'd our fall till Edward Longfhank's reign. 

* Yet to the ftock of Brute fo true we ever were, 

* We would permit no prince, unlefs a native here. 

* Which, that mod prudent king perceivingj wifely thought 

* To fatisfy our wills| and to Caernarvon brought 

* His queen being great with child, ev'n ready dowil to ly^ 

* Then to his purposed end doth all his powers apply. 

* Through every part of Wales he to the nobles fcnt, 

* That they unto his court fhould c6me incontinent, 

* Of things that much conccrn*dtnc country to debate : 

* But now behold the power of unavoided fate ! 

* When thus unto his will he fitly them had won, 

* At her cxpefted hour the queen brought forth a fon. 
^ And to this great defign, all happening as he would> 
^ He (his intended courfe that clerkly manage could) 

* Thus qucirttly trdns us on : fince he perceiv'd us prone 

* Here only to be rulM by princes of our own, 

* Our naturalnefs therein he greatly did approve j 

* And publickly protefts, that for the ancient love 

* He ever bare to Wales, they all fhould plainly fee, 

* That he had found out one, their foveraign lord to be j 

* Com'n of the race of kings, and (in their country born) 

* Coukl not one EngUfti word : of which he durft be fworni, 

* Bcfides, his upright heart, and innocence was fiich, 

* As that (he was aflbr'd ) black envy could not touch 

* His fpotlefs life in aught. Poor we (that not efpy 
' * His fubtilty herein ) in pl^n fimplidty, 

' Soon bound ourfelves by oath, his choice not to refufe :^ 

* When as that crafty king, his Iktlc dhild doth chufe, 

H h h 2 * Young 



836 F L r^O L B I N: 

• Young Edward, born in Wales, and of Caernarvon calKd : 

• Thus by the Englifli craft, we Britons were enthraird, 

• Yec in thine own behalf, dear country, dare to fay, 

• Thou long as powerful wert as England every way. 

• And if (he overmuch fhould feek thee to imbafe, 

• Tell her, thou art the nurfe of all the Britifli race 

• And he that was by heaven appointed to unite 

• ( After that tedious war) the red rofe and the white; 

• A Tudor was of thine, and native of thy Mon, 

• From whom dcfcends that king now fitting on her throne/ 

This fpcech, by Snowdon made, fo lucky was to pleafc 
Both parties, and them both with fuch content t'appeafe -, 
That as before they llrove for fovereignty and place. 
They only now contend, which moft Ihould other grace. 

Into the Irilh fea then all thofe rills that ran. 
In Snowdon's praife to fpeak immediately began ; 
Lewenny, Lynan next, than Gwelly gave it out. 
And Kerriog her compeer, foon told it gU about : 
So did their fiiler nymphs, that into Mena drain ; 
The flood that doth divide Mon from the Cambrian main. 
It Gorway greatly prms'd and Seint it loudly fong, 
So,nlighty Snowdon's fpeech was through Caernarvon rong; 
That fcarcely fuch a noife to Mon from Mena came, 
When with his puiflant troops for conqueft of the fame. 
On bridges made of boats, the Roman powers her fought, 
Or Edward to her lack his Englifli armies brought : 
That Mona ftrangdy ftirr'd greatSnowdon*s praife to hear, 
Akhough the ftock of Troy to her was ever dear ; 
Yet ( from her proper worth) as flie before all other 
§. Was called informer times) her country Cambria's mother^ 
Perfwaded was thereby her praifes to purfuc. 
Or by negled, to lofe what to her felf was due, 
A fign to Neptune fent, his boifl'rous rage to (lake ; 
Which fuddainly becalmed, thus of her felf flie fpake •, 

• What one of all the ifles to Cambria doth belong 

• ( To Britain, I might fey, and yet not do* her wrong) 

• Doth equal me in foil, fo good for grafs and grain ? [*main 

• As fhould my Wales (where ftill Brute's ofF-fpring doth re- 

" ' . . * That> 



SONG THE NINTH. 837 

* That mighty ftorc of men, yet more of beafts doth breeds 

* By famine or by war conflrained be to need, 

* And England's neighbouring (hires their fuccour would 

* deny ; 

* My only fetf her wants could plenteogfly fupply. 

* What ifland is there found jiipon the Irifh coafl:, 

' In which that kingdom feems to be deljghted moft, 

* And feek you aU along rhe rough Ver^vian ftiore^ 

* Where the incountring tidqs outrageoMOy dp roajr y 

* That bows not a? my beck^ as diey to oie did owe 

* The diity fubjefts Ihoiuld unto their fovereign (how j 

* §. So that th'Eubonian Man, a kingdom long time known, 

* Which wifely hath been rui'd by princes of her own, 

* In my alliance joys, as in th' Albanian feas 

' The ^ Arrans, and by them the fcatter'd ** Eubides 

* Rejoyce even at my name ; and put on mirthful chear^ 

* When of my good cftatc they by the fea-nymphs hear. 

* Sometimes within my (hades, in many an ancient wood, 

* Whofe often-twined tops great Phoebus* fires withftbod, 
' §. The fearlefs Britifh priefls, under an aged oak, 

' Taking a milk-white bull, unftrainied with the y6kc, 

* And with an ax of gold, from that Jovc-facred tree 

* The miftleto cut down ; then with a bcoded knqe 
*On th* unhewM altor l^d, put to the hallow*d fires: 

* And whilft in the fharp flame the trembling flcfh excftre$, 

* As their ftrong fury mov'd (when all ijie reft swter?; 

* Pronouncing their defircs the lacrifice before, 

* Up w A^etemal heaven their blooded hands did rear : 

* And, whilft the murmuring woods even fhuddred as with 

,*fear, 

* Preacht to the feeardlefs youth the fouPs inunortal ftate •, 
•^ To other bodies ftill how it^lhould tranfmigrat.c, 

* That to contempt of death jthcm ftrongly might excite. 

* To dwell in my black (hades the wood-gods did delight, 

* Untrodden with refort that long fo gloomy were, 

< As when the Roman came, it ftrook him lad with fear 

Hhh3 *To 



838 POLT-OLBIO N: 

To look upon my face, which then was call'd the Dark ; 
Until in after-time^ the EngUfti for 4 mark 
Gave me this hateful name, which I myft ever bear. 
And Anglefey from them am called every where. 
* My brooks(to whofe fweet brims the Sylvans did refort. 
In gliding through my fh^des to mighty Neptune*s court^^ 
Of their huge oaks bereft) to heaven fo ppen ly, 
That now there's npt a root difcern-d by s^ny eye : 
My Brent, a pretty beck, attending Menu's mouth. 
With thofe her filter rills that bear upon the fourh, 
Guint, forth along with her Lewenny that doth draw | 
And next to them again, the fat and moory Fraw, 
§. Which with my princc-s court I fometime plcas'd tQ 

* grace. 
As thofe that %o the weft direcftly nin their race. 
Smooth Alio in her fall, that Lynon in doth take ; 
Mathanon, that ^main doth tow -rds Moylroniad make. 
The fea-calfs to behold that bleach them on her ihore. 
Which Gweger to her gets, as to increafe her ftore. 
Then Dulasto the north that ftraineth, as to fee 
The ifle that brccdcth mice : whofe ftore fo lothfpme be. 
That ftie in Neptune's brack her bluifti head doth hide.' 
When now the wearied mufe her burthen having ply*d^ 
Her felf awWile betakps to bathe her in the Sound •, 
And quitting in her coyrfe the goodly Monian ground, 
Aflavs chc Pcnmenmaur, and her clear eyes doth throw 
On Cqnway, tow'rds the eaft, to England back to go : 
Where fihding Denbigh fair, and Flint not put of fight. 
Cries yci afrcfti for Wales, and for Brute's ancient right. 



M 



ILI^USTRATIONS. 

ORE weftcm ajreyqu carried Into Merioneth, Caernarvon, Aa- 
gl^ey, and thofa nuritiipe coaib of North-wales. 

The laft her genuine la'oi^s which ft outly did retain. 

Under WiHiam Rufus, the Norman-EnglUh (animated by the good 
fbecefs which Robert Fitz-hamon had firft againft Rees ap Tiddour. 
prince of South- wales, and afterward againft J^n, lord of Glamorgan} 

feeing 



SONO THE NINTH. 83^ 

lydng verf jefifotis of the Wcllh territories ; Hugh, * famained Wol^ 
Earl of Chefter, did homage to the king for Tegengle and Kyvonioc» 
with all the land by thf Tea unto Conway. And thus pretending title, 
got alio poiSTeflion of Merioneth, from Griiffith ap Conan, prince of 
. North-wales : but he foon recovered it, and thence kh it continued in 
hjU pofterity, until Lhewellin ap GrufHth, under Edward the firft, loft 
it himfelfy and all his dominion. Whereas other parts ( of South and 
Weft-walcs efpecially ) had before fubjccled thcmfelvcs to the Eilgliib 
crown; this through frequency of craggy mountains, acceiHble with 
po much difficulty^ being fiit lait Ilrong refuge until that period of 
fatal concjueft. 

Of tbofe two nobis arms into the land that bear. 

In the coniines of Merioneth and Cardigan, where thefe rivers jointly 
pour themfelves into the Irifh ocean, are thefe two arms or creeks of 
the fea, famous, as he iaith, through Guinethia (that is one of the old 
titles of this North-wales) by their names $X9Xt^ Hiatal and Crpltfl) 
SM(Il49f '• ^' AS '^ ^ttt^ the great haven and the little haven ; fXfit0^^9 
in Britiih, fignifyio^ a trad of (and whereon the fea flowa, and the 
ebb difcovers. 

Into that fpacious lake where J>ee unmixt dotbJUw. 

That is, Lhin-tegid (otherwiie call'd by the En^lifh, Pendfinert) 
through which, Deie rifing in this parr^ runs whole and unmixt» neither 
Jake nor river communicating to each other water or fiih ; aa the aath^^ 
anon tells you. In the « ancients, is remembred fpeciaUy the like of 
Ithe Rhofne running unmixt^ and ( as it were } over the lake of 
Geneva ; as, for a greater wonder, the moil learned Ca&abon ' hath 
delivered alfo of Arya, running whole through Rhofne; and 'divert 
other fitch li^ are in Pliny^s coUeQion of natiire*s i9o(4rtti|pe %9^ A* 

He multitude of fTolves 'that long ibis kni annofd. 

Our excellent 'Edpx (having firft enlarged his name with diligent and 
religious performance of charitable magnificence among his Engliih, and 
confirmed the ^r-fpred opinion of his greatnefe, bv receipt of homage at 
Chefter from eight kings i as ydu fhall fee in and to the next fong) iot 
cncreafe of his benefits towalds the iile, j03med with prefervadon of his' 
crown-duties, converted the tribute of the Welfli into three hondrei 
Wolve t a year, as the author ihews ; the king that paid it ; 

1t\nt tvt bt kttll \i tcrm«rent, act|ietio«t|el»Mie]Mnk ; 
98^ m fsnh 8 xl^t Hing toMjO tlKit lis migt; ne me liinlie« 

Hhh 4 JU 

a P;9«m/« itd Curtiitc. Iham^t^, 9t\ e Amma^. Mured, hf/f, t% . P^. Md. 
(>iW. , 1 /i*. a. Fhn. Bift, NMt, %. M^, io|» 



S40 P O LT'O L B 10 N: 

JJ4, according to the flory my old rhimer delivers it. Whom you are to 
account for this Ludwal king of Wales in the Welih hiftory, except 
Howel ap Jevaf, that made war againil his uncle Jago, delivered 
his father, and took on himfelf the whole principality towards the later 
years of Edgar, I know not. But this was not an utter defhii6lion of 
them; for, fince that ^ time, the mannor of Piddleiley in Leicefter-fhire 
was held by one Henry of Angage, per Jefjeantiam cafitndi lufoj, as tb« 
inquifitioii delivers it. 

St. Helenas wondrous way 



By Fefteneog in the confines of Caernarvon and Merioneth is this high, 
way of not» ; fo callM by the BritUh, and fuppofed made by that Helen, 
mother to Conlbmtine (among her other good deeds) of whom to the lajft 
fong before. 

y£r livel as the lake until the general flood. 

So is the opinion of fon&e divines ^ that, until after the Hood, were 
BO mountains, but that by congeftion of fand, earth, and fuch fluff as 
we now fee hills fbangdy fraughted with, in the waters they were firf( 
call up. But in that true fecretary of divinity and nature, Selomoh s 
fpeaking as in the perfbn of Wifdom, you read; Before the mountains 
nvire founded f and before the hills I nnas formed^ that is, before the 
world's beginning ; and in holy ^ writ elfewhere, the mountains afcend^ 
and the *valUys defcend to the flacp where thou didfifiund them ; good au- 
thorities to juflify mountains before the flood. The fame quedion hath 
beep of ifles, but J will peremptorily determine neither. 

And with fiern Eolus'* blaftsj like "Thetis waxing rank. 

The foi)th-weft wind conftrained between two hills on both fides of 
the lake, fometimes fo violently fills the river out of the lake's flore, that 
both have been affirmed ( but ibmewhat againfl truth ) never to be 
difturbed, or overflow, but upon tempeduoas blafb, whereas indeed (as 
Powel delivers ) they are overfilled with rain and land-floods, as weU 
•8 other waters ; but mpft of all moved by that impetuous wind. 

Still Delos like^ wherein a wandering ifle doth float. 

Of this ifle In the water on top of Sno^dbn, and on one fide eels, 
iro^ts^ and perches, in another lake there, Girald is witnefs. Let hini 
perform hi^ wol'd ; I will not be his furety fi>r it. The author alludes 

tt hiiu Leitifi. ay. mnn. Hen. 3. in Jb: sidGtntf. i. qttafi, xoi. 
firtu Turr* Vemd, | g Prw. 8. 

i His /9I mUo9 ref^girtw B, Fererius\ h PJ* 104. 



SONG THE NINTH. 841 

< bcfoie it was with pillars 6ftenc4 



(0 that (late of Delos, which is fained 
in the Tea for Latona*s child-birch. 



T^hat with the term of Wtljb the Englijh now imhafe. 

For this name of Welfli is unknown to the Britiih themfelves, and 
impofed on them, as an ancient and common opinion is, by the Saxons, 
calling them Walih, 1./. Grangers. Others farbuluufly have talk of Wallo 
and Wandolena, whence it (hould be derived. But you 0iall come 
nearer truth, if upon the community of name, cuiloms, and original, 
twixt the (Jauls and Britons, you conjeflure them call'd Walih, as it 
were Gualfti (the W. oftentimes being inftead of the Gu.) which ex- 
preifes them to be Gauls rather than itrangers ; although in the Saxon 
( which is ^ obferved ) it was ufed for the name of Gauls, Strangen, 
and Barbarous* perhaps in fuch kind as in this kingdom the name of 
\ Frenchman, hith by inclufion comprehended all kind of aliens. 

Was little Britain calVd ^ 



See a touch of this in the paiTige of the virgins to the eighth fong. 
Others a^m, that under ^ Conftantine, of our Britons colonies were 
there placed ; and from fome of thefe the name of that now dukedom, 
to have had its beginning. There be ^ alfo that will juflify the Britifli 
name to have been in that trad lone before, and for proof cite Diony* 
fias ' Afer, and p Pliny \ but for the firfl, it is not likely that he ever 
meant that continent, but this of ours, as the learned tell you ; and for 
Pliny, feefing he reckons his Britons of Gaul in the confines of the now 
France, and lower Germany, it is as unlikely that betwixt them and 
little Breugne (hould be any fuch habitude. You want not authority, 
aSnn^ng that our Britons froih them ^, before they from ours, had die- 
dudUon of this national tide ; but my belief admits it not* The farer 
opinion is to refer the name unto thofe Britons, which ( being ex« 
|>eU*d the iiland at the entry of the Saxons) got them new habitation 
in this maritime part» as befide other authority an exprefs aflertion is in 
an old fragment of a French hijftory ', which you may joyn with moft 
worthy Camden's treatiie on this matter ; whither (for a learned declfti* 
fiction of it) .1 fend you. 

Forewarned was in dreams that of the Britons reign. 

Cadwallader driven to forfake this land, efpecially by reafon of plague 
a^d famine tyrannizing among his (ubjeds, joined with contuiual irrop. 

tions 



i F.indar, gp, Str^hom, IH» xo. 
Jc Butbanan, Scotic, Hift, %, 
1 BraB. lib, 3. traa, a. cap, 15. Leg. 
W. CoHfM^. & D. Cokt in CaJ. Culuin. 
fH BUlmeJb, dt gefl. f^. x. 
iPMalMtntL Cofmg,part. a, /. j, ^, 31, 
$ Ft4. Mufatb. tLdtundfm^ 



p Hijf, Nat, lib, 4. cap, X7. qumfrptP ' 
Ligerim Britannot bnjitos dixiffgj mitor Jfm. 
Merulam tarn €9rtftantir affirmSj/e, 

q Bed, Itb, i, cap, 3. qua» ficuius P. 
Merula, 

r Ex Mi, Cmn^b, FhrUc, 9dU* par F^ 



842 P O Lr-0 L B 10 N: 

tions of the EogliOi^ retired himfelf into b'ttle Bretagne, to his cozen 
Alan, th^re king: where in a dream he was admonifht by an angel ( I 
jailify it but by the dory) that a period of the Britifh empire was now 
come, and until time of Merlin's prophecy^ given to king Arthur, his 
country or pofterity (hould have no rellitution ; and farther, that h# 
flK>uld take his joumy to Rome, where, for a trai^tory he might receive 
an eternal kingdom. Alan, upon report of this vifion, compares it with 
the Eagle's prophefies, the Sibyl's verfes, and Merlin ; nor found he but. 
all were concording in pra;diftion of thi^ ceafing of the Britifh monarchy. 
Through his advice therefore, and a prepared afiedUon, Cadwallader 
takes voyage to Rome, received of P.P. Sergius, with holy tindlure, the 
name of Peter, and within very fhort time there died ; his body very 
lately under pope Gregory the XIH. was found ■ buried by S. Peter's 
tomb, where it yet remains; and White of Bafinglloke fays, he had a piece 
cf his raiment of a chefnut colour, taken up (with the corps) uncor- 
ruptcd ; which he accounts, as a Romifh pupil, no flight miracle. It 
. was added among Britiih traditions, that, when Cadwallader's < bones 
Were brought into this ide, then (hould the pollerity of their princes 
have refUtution : concerning that, you have enough to the fecond ibng, 
ObTerving concurrence of time and difierence of relation in the (lory of 
this prince, I Ipiow not well how to give my felf or the reader fatis- 
{adion. In Monmouth, Robert of Gloceiler, Ftorilegus, and their fol* 
lowers, Cadwallader is made the fon of Cadwallo king of the Britons 
before him, but fo, that he defcended alfo from EngliSi-faxon blood r 
his mother being daughter to Penda king of Merckland. Our monks 
can him king of Weft-faxons, fuccelTor of Kentwine, and fon to Kifn^ 
brith. And where Caradoc Lhancarvan tells you of wars betwixt Ine 
or Ivor (fucceffor to Cadwallader) and Kentwine, it appears in ouf 
cbronographers that B^entwine muft be dead above three years before^ 
But howfoever thefe things might be reconcileable, I think clearly that 
^ Chdwallader in the 6riti(b, and Cedwalla king of Weft-faxons in 
Bede, Malmeibury, Florence, Huntingdon, and other (lories of the 
Eifiifli, are not the fame, as Geffrey, and, out of Girald, Randal of 
Chefter, and others fince erroneoufly have affirmed. B'lt ftrongly you 
may hold, that Cadwallo or Qafwallo, living about the year DC.XL. 
ibda by Ofwald king of Norchnmberland^ was the fame with Bede*s 
Mt Cedwalla, whom he calls king of Britons, and that by mifconceit 
pf his two Cedwals (the other being, almoft fifty years after, king of 
Wefl-faxons) and by communicating of each other^s attributes upon in- 
diHind names, without obfervation of their feveral times, thefe difcorr* 
dant relations of them, which in flory are too palpable, had their firft 
being. But to faiisfy you in prcfcntj I keep my felf to the courfe of 
cor ordinary flories, by reafon of difficulty in findine an exadl truth in 
ail. Touching his going to Rome ; thus : fome will, that he was Chrifti- 
aa before^ and receiv^ of Sergius only confirmation i others, that he 

had 

« w4ifMr. Mfj^r. op, Bafinffnb, lib. 9. xcUf, j, (8p, t, C^erum v. Nennium «^ 
IMC 32. }Camd» in OttadiniM fag^ 66^ 9 665* V 

t Raml^, Hi^dtw, lib^ 5. tdp» 10. \Btd^ lUh 5•^f^ 7« 

ti Cfdwafh Bex BriHnum Bed. Hift. gfr I 



SONG THE NINTH. 

1^4 there his £rft baptifai» and lived not above a month after ; which 
time (to mai^e all di^oaat) is extended to etglit years in Lhancarvan. 
That one king Cedwal went to ^ome, is plain iy all, with his new- 
inpoM name and burial there ; for his baptifoi before, I hare no di- 
nSt anthprity bu^ in Poiychronicon ; many arguments proving him in- 
^ttd a well-willor to chriftianity. but as on^ that had not ye. received 
iti holy ^eilimony. The very phrafe in moil of our hiftorians is plaii| 
that he was bapti^^ed ; and fq alfo his ^piuph ^^n made at llomei ^a 
part here inierted. 

I * Pgriifih/lfMi mlatir fiivviv^ frsrmia <v/#^, 

Barbaricam raifgm, nomen & indifimm^ 
Cmrverfia €§/ivertit •vmrns,, Petrimftu vocari^ 

Sergius ant\ft€s^ juffii ut iffe pattr 
Fonti rtnafcentii qium Chrifti gratia furgmfs 
Fr9iu^ ablatmm vexU in arce Poii. 



This ihows alfo hi* tbpx% life afterward, and agrees fully with the EngGfli 
ftory. Ht^' honourable afidion to religion, before his cleanfinjp; mark 
offfgep cr atioii, is ften in that kind refpe£t given by him to WUfnd fiift 
bifliop of Se|dey in Soilcx ; where the epifcopal fee of Chichefter 
(hither ivas it tmnijatcd from Selefey, under William the conqueror) 
acknoivkdges in pub]if:k sionumentSy rather him founder than £dil« 
^jvakk the 4rft chriftian king of that province, from whom Cedwalls 
fiotoitly^ took both life and kingdom : nor doth ic lefs appear, in that 
his paying tenths of iiich fpoils, as t^y war*s fortune accrued to his 
greatnefs ; which notwithflanding, although done by one then not re- 
eved into the church of either tefUment, is not without many exam* 
j^ auMmg the ancient Gentiles, who therein imitatmg the Hebrews, 
^dhed much of their pofleffions, and acquired fubftance to fuch deities aa 
iqhallow^d religion taught them to adore ; which, whether they did 
QpoB myftery in the number, or therein as paying firft fruits ( for the 
r ¥md ElVij a which was for Abers offerings, and ")8lpO ^<^ hdeU 
I > philUecVs tithesj^ according to that lefs x calculati m in CabaUftifMB 
, * conoofdance of identities in different words, are of equal number, and 
i by cottiequent of lik^ interpretation ) I leave to my reader. Speaking 
I pf this, J cannot but wonder at that very wonder of learning * JofepC 
f Scalfgjer, affirming, tithes among thofe ancients only payaUe to Her* 
coles I whereas by exprefs witnefs of an * old infcription at Delphos, 
i|nd the common report of Camillus, it is juftified, that both Greeks 
and Roniaiis did the like to Apollo, and no lefs among them and others 

together 



s JM> tcd^. hi/f.lih, 5. e, 7. EngliAt 
la fobftance, if /»» £iy, H* vf» btptixedy 
^md fmm Mtd. Am» Cbnp DC.LXXX 
^in* Jadidoiis caiij«Aore cana^t but at- 
tribute all thk to t\kt1Vefi^axoM Ced^xal, 
miAnaltfkirBh'tiA, 8ett» rheXI.Song. 

y Bmi» twift^JTM MiMT. ftcmStm 
ftftmi C9mtiisri$fm6k(9 fyjnmtwi^ 



tattm aecipiunty nliqim numeros in utr^jni 
4mcabuU rttinentet uti ArcboMggl* BurgOm. 
n9venf, in Dog, Cahfiiifticis» 

Z Ad Feflunt, verb, Decwma, 

a CUment Alex^nd. Strom. «. & SttpB^ 

tpr alhi fuamj^turinmj 



844 P O L r^O L B I N: 

together, was to Mars ^, Jupiter «, Juno «*, and the number of God» 
sn general, to yvhom the Athenians dedicated the tenth « part of Lefbos. 
He which the author, after the Britifh, calls here Ivor, is affirmed the 
fame with Ine king of Well-fex in our monkifh chronicles, although 
there be fcarce any congruity betwixt them in his defcent. What fol- 
lows is but hiftorical and continued fucceffion of their princes. •> 

More excellent than tbofe which our good Howel here. 

For Howd Dha, firil prince of South- wales and Powis, after upon death 
of his cozen Edwal Vpel, of North- wales alfo, by mature advice in a full 
council of barons and bilhops, made divers univeHal conftitutions. By 
thefe, Wales (until Edward I.) was ruled. So ibme fay ; but the truth 
. is, that before Edward I. conquered Wales, and, as it feems, from 
XXVIII. but efpecially XXXV. of Hen. III. his empire enlar^ 
among them, the Englifh king*s writ did run there. For when Ed. I. 
fent commiffion to ^ Reginald of Grey, Thomas bilhop of S. I>ewy*s, 
9fid Walter of Hopton, to enquire of dieir cufloms, and by what laws 
they were ruled, divers cafes were upon oath returned, which by, and 
according to, the king^s law, if it were between lords or the princes^ 
themfelves, had been determinisd ; if between tenants, then by the lord's 
ibifing it into his hands, until difcovery of the title in his court ; bot 
alfo that nono were decided by the laws of Howel Dha, Of them, in 
Lhuyd^s annotations to this Welfh chronicle, you have fi>me particulars^ 
and in the roll which hath aided me. Touching thofe other of Mol« 
^lutitts and Martia, fomewhat to the ninth fong. 

Us to fubjeSiion ftoopy or make us Britons ^ear 
%b* unwieldy J^orman yoak-^ — ^ 

Snowdon }>roperly fpeaks all for the glory of his country, and fol- 
lows fuppofitions of the Briti(b fbry, difcording herein with ours. For 
in Matthew Paris, and Florilegus under the year cid.lxxviii. I rea4 
that the Conqueror fubdued Wales, and took homage and hoftages of 
the princes; foofHen. I. cio. c. xiii* Hen. II. in cio. c. lvii. and 
other times : Of this Hen. II. hath been underftood that proj^eqr of 
Mtrlin^ When the freckle-fa^i Prince (fo was the KJngjpaffej over^ 
S^O J^niCarQ, thenjhwld the Welfli farcet he v^eakned. For he in 
this i^xpedition againfl Rees ap Gryffith into South-Wales, coming 
mounted near that ford in Glamorgan, his deed madded with fudde^ 
found of trumpets, on the bank violently, out of the purpofed way, 
Carres him through the ford : which compared with that of Merlin, 
gav^ to the Britiih army no fmall difcomfiture ; as a ^^ Cambro-Britc^, 

the» 



Macr^t 3. C9p, I, 

t Samjapud Herodot, /• 



{Rot. CIauJ, dt ann, 9. Ed, i. in Ar^biv^ 
Tor. Lmdirt, 
g The Ford at the Rock's head,- 
h GtraU^ Itinerary i. cop. 6^ 



SONG THE NINTH. 845 

then living, hath delivered. Bat, that their ftories and Mrs ate to 
difierent in thefe things, it can be no marvel to any that knows how^ 
often i^is ufed among ^ hiHorians, to flatter their own nation, and wrong 
die honour of their enemies. See the firft note here fbr Rofus his 
time. 

And from the EngUJh power the imperial Jiandard took. 

Henry of Eflex, at this time ftandard-bearer to Henry II. in % 
ftraigbt at Counfylth near Flint, -caft down the ftandard, thereby am- 
mating the Welih, and difcomfidng the EngliHi, adding much danger 
to the diihonoor. He was afterward accafed by Robert of Montfort» 
of a traiteroos defign in the adion. To clear himfelf, he challenect 
the combat: they both, with the royal aflent and judicial courfe by 
law of arms, enter the lifts ; where Montfort had the victory, ud 
£flex pardoned for his life ; but forfeiting 1^ all his fabftance, entted 
religion, and profeil in the abbey of Reding, where the combat was 
performed. I remember a great ' clerk of thofe times fays, that Mont- 
fort fpent a whole night of devotions to St. Denis ^fo I onderftand hinp, 
although his copy feem corrupted] which could make champions invin- 
cible; whereto he referrs the fuccefs. That it was ofual for comba- 
tants to pray over night to feveral faints, is plain by " our law*annals. 

Or any ear bad beard the found of Florida. 

About the year cio. c. lxx. Madoc, brother to David ap Owen, 
Prince of Wales, made thisfea voyage ; and by probabih'ty, thodfe namea 
of Capo de Breton in ^orumbeg, ai^ Pengwin in pirt of the Northern 
Amenca^ for a white rock and a white-headed bird, according to the 
fticUh, were rdiqoes of this difcovery. So that the Wellh may chal- 
lenge prioffitv, of. finding that new world, before the Spaniard, Geno- 
^mj*. and all .other mentioned in Ijopez, Marinsus, Cortez, and the 
left of that kind. 

And with that Crogen^sname let tb^Englifh us difgrace. 

Hie firft canle of this name, take thus : In one of Henry the fecond*a 
expeditions intoWa^, divers of his camp fent to aflfiy a paiTageover 
On^s^ike, at Crogen cafUe were entertained with prevention by Britifli 
forces, raoft of them there (lain, and^ to prefent view, yet ^in"^ buried* 
Afterward, this « word Crogen, the Englifti ufed to the WeUh, bat aa 
remembring canfe of revenge for fuch a ilaughter, althongh time hath 
IBade it nfinl in ignorant mouths for a diigraeeful attribute. 

To 

i Ik fv9,^ f^^fff^ n^ideat etrnfetidict? m 1 JoMn, Sarj/hurinJ, Sf* t$$* 
^fmd Jttkifk, VnuiL d« Arm, lUm. r. J m 50 Ed. ifiL 20» 

k QuiL ii Ntm. Burp lib, a. /; /. f 



M POL no L B 10 N:^ 

To bis unbridled will our necks we never how*d. 

Sufficiently juflifiable is this of king John^ altlioogh our Monks tliett^i 
in not much diTcording ftotn Britifii relation, d^?«r, that he fubdued ^ 
all Wales ; efpedally this northern • part unto Snowdon, and recdvM ^ 
XX. hoflages for forety of future obedience. For, at dril, Lhewelin ap - 
Jorwerth mnce of North- Wales, had by force jc»yh*d with flratagem th^ 
better hand, and compelled the Engliih camp to iri6lual themfelves with T] 
hofie-fleih f bit afterward indeed upon a fccond rbad made into Wales^ L 
lemg John had the conqueft. This compared With thofe changes eiu E 
iiuBg upon the pope*s wrongful uncrowning him^ his barons rebellioe^ - 
and adrantag^s in the mean time uken by the Welfh, proves ohly, that 
kis winnings here were little better than imaginary, as on a ttagiqm 
ilage. T]& ftoriet may, but it fits not »e to inform you of large pard- 
.cnkrs. 

As fate hadfpar^d our fall till Edward LongJhankU retgii. 

But withall obferve the truth of ftory in the mean time. Of all oar 
kings untH John, fbmewhat you have already. After him, iHenry III. I 
had wars with Lhewelin ap Jorwerth \ who (a mod worthy prince) 
defiring to blefs his feebler days with fuch compofed quiet as inclining . 
^ ageaffedb, at lafl put himfelf into the king's protedion. Within (hOrt fpace jj 
dying, left all to his fons, David and Gruffith \ but only David being ip 
legitimate, had title of government. He by charter p fubmits himJGelf { 
jmd his principality to the Engliih crown, acknowledges that he mwiA jE 
SbuA to the judgment of the king's court, in controverfies betwixt hb ^ 
imithcr and himfeU; and that what portions ibe?er were fo allotted to ji 
cither of them, they would hold of the crown in chief f and briei^i j 
makes himiieifand his barons (they joiniiM; in doing homage) teimiti 
ited fnbjeas of England. All this was con&med by oath, bttt tlw niik 
tkxon^ favour, porchaft at Rome, and delegate authority in that kind 
to the abbots of Cbwey and Remer, was (according to perftrafion 6f 
thofe times, the more eafily induced, becanie g^in of reg^ liberty was 
the confequeat) fooo relea&d, and in lien of obedience, they aU drew 
their rebellious fwords ; whereto they were the feoner urged^ fi^t thai 
the king had transferiM the principalis of Wales (by name trf som etm 
Qmpuftu mfiro VTaOia) to Pr. Edward Longihanks (afiferward Edward 14 
fince when our fbvereigns eldeft fons have\om that hopeful tide. Bnl 
when this Edward, after his ^ther, fucceeded in the EngjUfh crawly 
Toon came that hxal ' conterfion here fpokenof by the author, efCii 
executed In as great and worthy a prince, as ever that third part of the 
ifle was ruled by } that is, Lhewdm ap Gruffith, who (after onoertaii 

fortune 



o Note that Nortbtvales wa8 the ch'ef 
PrincipaUty, and to it South^vtakt and 
Powit paid a tribute, ai out of the laws 
•f Umoti Dka \% noted by DoBw Powei. 

p ChitriM Daiviih 25 • Htn^ ]. Sffun 



wife to Griffith then iinprifviied, WM wltti 
othera a plcde« ^t her huibafid* t.part. 

q In AtcU'tt, Scatear. QT Pt^dit, ki^ 
Atigl. i6« 

r Aan* 6i». cc. jixx.vtt« 



SONG THE NINTH. 847 

(brtune of war» on both fides, and revolting of Soath-wtles) was con- 
ftrained to enter a truce (or rather fubje^ion) rcfigning his principality to 
be annexed wholly to the crown after his death, and rei«rving, for hit 
life only, the ifle of Ang^efey and five baronies in Snowdon, for which 
the king's exchequer (hould receive a yearly rent of cio. marks, 
granting alfo that all the baronies in Wales ihould be held of the king, 
excepting thofe five referved, with divers other particulars in Walfing- 
ham, Matthew of Wefhninfter, Nicholas Trivet, and Humfrey Lhuyd, 
at large reported. The articles of thu inftrument were not long ob- 
served, but at length the death of Lhewdin, {pending his laft breach 
fiarmaintenance of his ancefiors rights againft his own covenant, fi-eely 
caft upon king Edward all that, whereof he was as it were inftituted 
there. What enfeed, and how Wales was governed afterward, and 
fobjea to England, ftories and the ftatute of ' Rothlan will large^ 
ftew-yoa ; and dse what I have to the VII. fong: In all thatibllowt 
concerning Edward of Caernarvon^ the author is plain enough. And 
concluding, obferve this proper perfonating of Snowdon hill, whofe li- 
fliits and adjacent territories are beft witneflfes, both of the Engliih af-^ 
fiuilts, and pacifying covenants between both princes* 

fFas caird informer times her country Camhrii^ smother. 

In the WeUh pcoveib • jRon mam €pm&^. in foeh ftn(e as Si- 
dly was ftiled l\aly*s ^ ftore-hoofe, by reafon of fertile ground, and 
plenteous liberality of com thence yearly fupf^ied. And < Girald tdb 
me, that this little ifle was wont to be able to fnmilh all Wales intk 
fncb provifion, u Snowdon hills were for pafture. Of its antiqokiet 
and paiticalars, with plain oonftttad<m of that idle opinion in Foly* 
doie, Hedor Boethios, and others, taking the (now caUM) Ifle of Man 
fbr this Mon (now Andefea) learned Lhuvd in his EpifHe to Otte* 
Mbs hath fofficient. Altfaot^ it be divided as an ifle (b«t rather bf 
a ftallow ' ford, than a fea : a»d in the Roman times, we fee by Ts« 
ekM, that Pku4imis and Agricok's foldiers (Warn over it> yet is k^ 
aad of ancient time hath been, a ooonty by itfelf, as CaemarvoDy 
DcidNgh, and the reft adghbooring. 

V'bat the Euhonian Man^ a kingdom long time known* 

It is an ifle lying betwixt Combeiland and the Irifli Down connty^ 
dmoft la the mid-fea, as long fince Julius Ca^ar could affirm, calling it 
*Moiia, which bcang equivalent, as well for this as for Anglefea, hatk 
with impofture blinded fome knowing men, Nennius (the eldeft hiftoriaa 
amongft ns extant) gives it the name of Eubonia-Manay, like that 
here nied by the audior. It was of ancient time governed by kings 
of its own, as you may fee in the chronicle of Ruffin, deduced froa^ 
tbe time of St. Edward into the reign of Edward the iecond. After 

rtiFd. I. / u Strah.l.c* 

*.B4on the mother of ff^^ef, I w Cmvmpt, ;« 

t GinUd, JtintrM, z, t^ ^, Of $• *> 



848 



POL r-0 L B 10 Ni 



this, the government of the Englifli and Scots were now and thdfl 
interchanged in ic^ being at lail recovered, and with continuance, ruled 
by fuch as the^ favour of our fovereigns (to whofe crown * it be- 
longed) honoured with that title King of Man. It is at this day, and 
fince the time of Henry iV. hath y been in that noble family of the 
Stanleys earls of Derby ; as alfo is the patronage of the bifhoprick 
of Sodor, whereto is all judicial government of the ifle referr'd. There 
was long fmcc a controverfy, whether it belonged to Ireland or Eng- 
land (for you may fee in the civil ^ law. With which^ in that kind, 
ours i'omewhat agrees, that all lefTer ifles are reckoned part of feme 
adjoining continent^ if both under the fame empire) and this by rea- 
fon of the equal diftance from both. To decide it, they tried if it 
would endure venomous 4)ea(ls, which is certainly denied of Ireland 1 
and, finding that it d^^, adjudged it to our Britain. The other 
ides h^re fpoken of, lie farther north by Scotland, and are to it fubjed. 

Tbefemlejs Britijh pr lefts under an aged oak. 

He means the Druids ; becaufe they are indeed, as he calls them, 
jBritiih prieib, and that this ifland was of old their mother : whence, - 
as from a feminary, Gaul was fumifh'd with their learning. Permit 
n.e fome fpace more largely tb fatisfy you in their Name, Pro- 
YE^xoN, Sacrifice, Places of Afiexnbling, and laflly. Subversion. 
The name of Druids hath been drawn from Apuf , /. e. an Oak, becaufo 
of their continual ^ uiing that tree as fuperltitioufly hallowed : ac« 
cording as they are caird alfo ^Af»viAAi or ^ 'Ztte^ovii'iu which 
likewi^y in Greek, is old Oaks. 1 o this compare the Britifh word 
9tCVa of the fame £gnification, and, the original here fought for^ 
will feem furely found. £ut one, d that derives all from Dutch, and 
prodigiouily fuppofes that the firfl tongue fpoken, makes them fo ftiled 
mm CtOlO ^i^» i' '• truly wife, fo expreifing their nature in their 
name. Nor is this without good reafon of conjedture (if the groond 
lirere true) feeing that their like in proportion among the Jews and 
Gentiles werecaird (until Pytlu^oras his time) Wifemen «, and after- 
ward by him turn'd into the name of philofophers, i,e. Lovers of wifr 
dom ; and perhaps the old Dutch was, as fome learned think, com* 
municated to Gaul, and from thence hither ; the conjediure beihg; 
ibmewhat aided in that attribute which they have in Pomponius s 
calling them Matters of wifdom. A late great c fcholar draws it 
from Ciruttn, in an old Dutch copy of the gofpel, fignifying, as he 
lays, God ; which might be given them by hyperboly of TuperM- 
tiotts reverence : nay, we fee that it is juHifiable by holy writ, fo to 

can 

J Camden, tn JnfiiUt. (I. e. docerwnt Sapiefites Lapnto de yirt, (;#- 
% Utfiamjf, dt Judiciit /. 9. & nfed, b^lifiic, I, 3. fW Hebraiz in ufu ut ixtrtf 

M* '• 9f • «^" Py^^'^l'^^^'h ""'^ Druid&m dijcifulk 

%ltpcgrafb, Bibern, diji, 2. cap, 15. fefrarari Jententijt Mjgifltor,fa9 erat, 
% fUn, klft, nat, 1 6. cap, 44^ f Gfograpb. %, cap, 2, 

4 Di; Skid, dc Antiquzr, grfiitfah. r. E ^*^«^ Meruh Cofmog, part 2« A J« 

^ SG^f/tiiu Gallic. ^, ca^, li. 



SONG THE NINTH. 



Hs 



csdl gkieat magifbates and judges^ as they were among the people 
But that word Trutin or Truchtin in the old Angelical falutation, Za- 
thary's fong, andSimeon\ publifhed by Vulcan, is always lor^; as 
this 4Bi\Dii)tt |i trUC^tin S0t3fcael0» <. e. BleOed be the Lord God 
of lirael ; and fo in the Saxon ten commandments^ ^ u eom Dfi hren 
6I11 God, t. e. I am the Lord thy God. Thefeare the etymologies which 
favour of any judgment. To fpeak of king Druis or Sarron» which 
that ' Dominican friar hath cozened vulgar cr^ulity withal, and thence 
fetch their name, according to dodor White of Bafingftoke, were with 
him to fuffer, and> at once, offer impofhu-e. Of them all, I incline 
to the firft, feeing it meet in both tongues, the Greek and Bri- 
tifh ; and fomewhat the rather too, becaufe antiquity did crown their 
infernal deities, (and from Dis^ if you trufl Caefar, the Gauls, and by 
confequence our Britons, upon traditicm of thefe priefts, drew their de- 
fcent) with oak ; as ^ Sophocles hath it of Hecate, and ' Catullus pf 
die three DelHnies. Neither will I defire you to fpend conceit upon 
examination of that fuppofition which makes the name <" corrupted 
firom 9lXttttQliif9 which in Scotifh were fuch as had a holy charge 
committed to them; whereupon, perhaps. Bale fays St. Columban 
Was the chief of the Druids : I reckon that among the infinite fables 
' ttid grofs abfurdities, which its author hath, without judgment^ ihifc 
Umfelf withal. For their Profession, it was both of learning pro- 
fine and holy (I fpeak in all, applying my words to their times :) 
They late as judges, and determined all caufes emergent, civil and 
Ctimmily fobjeding the difobedient, and fuch as made default, to in-* 
terdids and cenfures, prohibiting them from (acred alTemblies, taking 
away their capacities in honourable ofHces, and fo difabling them» 
diat (as our now out-laws, excommunicates, and attainted perfons) 
Ibey might not conunence fuit againfl any man. In. a multitude of 
verfes they delivered what they taught, not fuffering it to be com- 
mitted to writing, fo imitating both CabaliUs, Pythagoreans^ and an- 
cient ° Chriftians ; but ufed in other private and publick bufinefs Greek 
letterSy as Csefar^s copies have : but hereof fee more to the tenth Sone* 
Their more private and iacred learning oonfifted in Divinity and Phi- 
lofophy (fee fomewhat of that to the firftSong,} which was fuch, that 
although 1 think you may truly fay with Origen <>, that, before our 
Saviottr*s time, Britain acknowledged not one true God, yet it came 
as near to what they (hould have done, or rather nearer, than moft 
of other, either Greek or Roman, as by their poiitions in Caefar, 
Straboy Lucan, and the like dircourfing of tliem, you may be fatis- 
fied. For although Apollo, Mars, and Mercury were worihip'd a- 
mong the vulgar Gaols, yet it appears that the Druids invocation 

I i i was 



h frefaf, Md Le^, Aluredi Sax$nic. 

iBtrrfut fiUtAmiama JubMtitiut) CUU 
4sic, Antifuii, .5. 

k tn "ViZ^tuA. afud SMiafi. Aptlhnij, 
titi primm Mci tt JqJ^ S^mliitn in Qtn* 
jt&aKtiu 



I De nupttit Ptlei & TbitiJet, — > 
§. His Corpus tremulnn. Sec uki vu/^ 
tis ae^ ifia^ qua tuttiqutrum ttdttum 
it eft vera /ehio, uiiScaiger, 
m Hemr, Boetb, Sect, bift. «• 
nCaURbodigin, jintif, lt&^ \0,C. 1« 
ddi»tibt\^ 



836 POL r-0 L B 70 N: 

was to one p All-healing or All-faving power. In morality, tJifir 
inftradioni were fo perfuafive, and themfelvet of fuch rever^ence, that 
the moft fiery rage of Mars kindled among the people, wis hy their 
grave counfels^ often quenched. Out of Plin/ receive their form of' 
ritiial Sacrifice (here defcribed by the author) thus: In fuch ^oomy 
ihadows, as they moft ufually for contemplation retu^ their aTcend* 
Ing thoughts intoj after exa£t fearch, finding an o^, whereon a mifle- 
toe greW) on the fixth day of the moon (above all other times) in 
which was beginning of their year, they religioufly and with invo- 
cation brought with them to it a ceremonial banquet^ materials for fa- 
crifice, with two white bulls, filleted on the horns, all which they 
plac'd under the oak. One of them, honoured with that fundlioii, 
clothed all inwhite^ climbs the tree, and with a golden knife orfdthe 
cuts the miiletoe, which they folemnly wrapt in one of their white 
garments. Then did they lacrifice the bulls, eameftly calling on the 
' AU-healing deity, to make it profperous and happy on whomfoevdr 
they (hall bellow it, and accounted it both ptefervative againft all poifohs, 
and a remedy againft batrennefs^ If I ihould imagine by this AU« 
healing deity, to be meant Apollo, whom they worlhiped onder name 
of Belin (as I tell you to the eighth Song) my conjefture were every 
way receiveable } feeing that Apollo * had both among Greeks and 
Latins the divine titles of ^ AXe^rxAx®- At/fx/^, Medicas, and to 
him the invocation was » *lj| lietiiVf all concurring in the fame proof; 
but alfo if they had (as probability is enough to conjedbxre it) an 
altar infcrib'd for this devotion, and uied Greek letters (which to the 
next fong ftiall be fomewhat examined) I could well think die de- 
dication thus conceived. 

rBEAlNHi. TH/. nANAKEI. 
o R, 

'BEAINn/. ©EHi. 

Which, very probably, was meant by fome^ making in Latin termina- 
tion, and nearer Apollo*s name 

xDEOABELLIONI. 

As^ an infcriptlon in Gaul, to abiding memory committed by that 
moft noble Jofeph ^ Scaliger is read ; and perhaps fome relicks or al« 
Ittfion to this name is in that 

DEO SANCTO B E L AT U C A D R O -—- 

yet remaining in * Cumberland. Nor is it ftrange that Apollo^s name 
fliould be thus far of ancient time, before communication 6f religion 



f P/i>« Hif> NatiB. cap, 44^ 

4] Strnk. Geograpb, /« 

r Omnia Sansntem, 

tMacr^, Saturtul. cap, 17* 

f Atf tbrec words ts mvch ai Phyficiao. 

o Htai Apollo. 



w To AU-healiflg Ap»Uo : & Stltttwit 
Apojlo in Numum, ap. GoUmum^ in 7^A 
X To God Beiir^ 
y To Qod Aheiiio, 
2 jfaftniar, leSi, i . r* 9* 



iSOKG ThE MINTH. 837 

*6«rutt thcfc oorthern pjum tnd the learned Gendlet , feeing tliat CtAt 
afirnis him for one of their ddties'; and long before &at, Abariit 
{about the beginning of the ^Olympiads) an Hyperborean b record- 
ed for ^ Apollo's prieft among the utmoft Scythians, being fdjthtf 
from Hdlemfm than our Britifh. But I return to the miftle: Hereto 
hath fome referred 'that which the Sibyl coonTell'd ^neas to carry 
with kim to Proferpine ; 

laitt crhn kpaci 



ADieas&/0/iiiC2f UntQ *uimi/feTZm\x% 
Jumm it^im^ J&Qui JtLctr I humc tetit omtds 
Lm€us^ (^ 9bfcuru daudunt convallibus umhra. 

Which may as well {o be applied, as to ' chymiftry ; (eeing it agreet 
aifo with what I fpake before of /)/>, and that Virgil exprcfly. com- 
pans it to the miille, 

* ^■' ■ iiuoi non fna feminat drhos. 

&r it fftmgs out of fome particular nature of the oaken ftem» whert« 
apon it it called by an old poet ^ ApOQ^ iAfSi : and although it 
be not oidiaarilyibtt^d upon oaks, yet, that oftimes it is, anyapo-' 
tkecaiy can tell^ which preferveth it for medicine, u the andentt 
vfed CO make lime of it to catch birds : of which ^ Argentarius hatk 
an admonitory epigram to a black-bird, that (he (hould not fing upon 
the oak, becaufe that 

bat on the vitae, dedicated to Bacchns, a great ftrorite of fingen* 
Ujpon this Druidian cuftom ", fome have grounded that unto this day 
tied in France, where the younger country fellows, about new-year*t 
tide in every village give the wi(h of good fortune at the inhabitants 
doors, with this acclamation, " Ju luy tan neuf\ which, as I remem- 
ber, in Rabhus is read all one word, for the fame puqpofe. Who- 
dier this had any community with the inftitution of that "* templo 
^(•vrweMT fi'Xy^i in Antium, or that Ovid alluded to it in that 
mi^ conunoidy cited out of him, 

' At (fome read ai\ ^ifcum Druids, mlfcum clamart foUhanti 



\^. SMtd. in Ah», 



I i i i X 



I cannot 



4 ngii Jiaad, 6» Fttr, Crimt, Hifi. 
fmA*€0ft 10. 

tSh* dncdi him to ieek 1 goUtfhnncli 
iitht dark woods, coolMiiti to Ffjtrpm. 

tWIudiiPMnoffelcif. 

hlpnt of the Odr, JfM, sfgd Jtk- 



lAnthtUg.m, cap, (• 
1 Bred Lime to catch her. 
mj9, Gerof. Gallic, 5. fiT slif. 
h To the Miftle. thii new yur* 
• Plutarch. Pr$U, Rom, /. Ctilimi Rh* 
diliu, Aatif, UB^ t8. r. 14. 
f At if yon ihould &y of AI^WfVffwffi# 



838 P L r^O L B 10 N: 

I cannot affure you, yet it is enough likely. But I fee a cuitom in 
fome parts among us, in our language (nor is the digreflion too faulty) 
the fame in effedt ; I mean the yearly majv^j^atlC in the country on 
the vigil of the new year, which had its beginning, as fome ' fay, from 
that ot Ronix (daughter to Hengift) her drinking to Vortigem, by 
tkefe words » loutttl Sing toa.^-fjefl, he anfwering her by dircaion 
of an interpreter, i^^inC'^ljeile* * and then, 

Idtufle liire anb fftte Ijtte abotint anti slab ti^mi% dire l^til, 
Xnti tHat yoai tbo xnttiifi {and tiie toertl tta^.-Hail 
%ii in lan0age tf .^apoi^ne tijat me migl^i e\^et itoire, 
TLntVo \Dtl t^z patt!) tHe folc about, t[^at iie iff not put Uoi^utr. 

Afterward it appears that.toa.sl^fjaile and ©^mC^fjeil were the ufual 
phrafcs of quaffing among the Englilh, as we fee in » Thomas de la 
Mvore, and before him that old » Havillan, thus: 

Ecce <vagante cifo diftento gutture )(Da{f^|^ti( 
hgeminant lOO0ff^I)eiI ■■ 



But I rather conjefture it an ufual ceremony among the Saxons before 
Hengift, as a note^of health-wiftiing (and fo perhaps you might make 
it )0Dtr^^{)tiO which was expreft among other nations in that form of 
drinking to the health of their miftrefies and friends, 

Bene * n}OS^ Bene nos, beni te, bene me, beni noflram etiam 
Stephanium 

in y Plautus, and infinite other teftimonies of that naturc'(in him Martial, 
Ovid, Horace, and fuch more) agreeing nearly with the falhion now 
ufcd ; we calling it a Health, as * they did alfo in diredt terms ; which 
with an idol call'd Heii, anciently worftipt at Ceme in « Dorfetflure, 
by the Englifti- Saxons, in name exprefTes both the ceremony of drink- 
ing, and the new-year's acclamation (whereto in fome parts of this king- 
dom' is joined alfo the folemnity of drinking out of a * cup, ritually 
composed, deckt, and fiU'd with country liquor) juft as much and as the 
fame ^hich that All-healing Deity, or All-helping medicine did among 
the Druids. You may to all this add, that, as an earheft of good luck to 
follow the new-year beginning, it was ^ ufual among the Romans, as 
with us, and I think, in all Europe, at this day is, to greet each other 
with aufpicious gifts. But hereof you fay I unfitly expatiate : I omit 
therefore, their facrificing of human bodies, and fuch like, and come 
to the Places of their Assembly : This was about Chartres in Gaul, 
as Cxfar tells us ; Paul Merula (for affinity of name) imagines it to be 

Dreux, 



y Galfred Monumetb, I, 3. cap, i. 

9 Lord King a health. 

t Drink the he^th. 

^Rok.GloKc, 

xFita Edw, Jh 

win AfMtUK 9« 



X Subintelligt (tiTBtu, ant qutdfimile, 
y In Stic bo, 
t Prtftmtibifahamplenitfiudh. Pinm 
tuseddem eommdii, 

%Camdenus.ThittFaff4»aiLbtii. 
b Qvid, Faft. I. r^, in Stnm. 



SONG THE NINTH. 839 

: Dreux, feme eight miles on this fide Chartres. And peradventure the 
I. Galatians publidc council called ^ Drymenetum had hence original. 
The firitifh Druids took this i(le of Anglcfey (then well flored with 
thick woods, and religious groves, infomuch that it was call d <* 0111^' 
|^Ol|liI)f(pr their chief refidence ; as, in the Roman « ftory of Paulinas 
and Agricola's adventuring on it, is delivered. For their Subversion ; 
under Auguftus and Tiberius they were prohibited ^ Rome ; and Clau- 
? dius endeavoured it in b Gaul; yet in the fuccceding Emperors times 
I there were of them left, as appears in Lampridius and Vopifcus, men- 
I tioning them in their lives ; and, long fmcc that, Procop us •* writing 
under Juflinian above D. years after Chrift, affirms that then the Gauls 
} ufed facrifices of human flefh, which was a part of Druidian doftrine. 
If I fiiould uponteftimony * of, I know not what, Veremund Campbell 
and the Irifh ComiU, tell you that fome C.LX. years before Chrift, 
Finnan King of Scotland firft gave them the ifle, or tliat King Crath- 
lint, in Dioclefian^s perfecution, turned their religion into Chriftianifm, 
and made Amphibalus firft bifhop of Sodor, I (hould fabuloufly abufe 
time, as they have ignorantly miftook that ifle of Man for this. Or to^ 
fpeak of the fuppofed ^^Uttcnfuf^ i- c* a pentagonal figure, ingraven 
with Trr<A or Tyiiet, (it is the fame, in faftiion, with the vidorious 
ftal of Antiochus Soter ^y being admoniftied by Alexander in a dream, 
to take it) which in Germany they reckon for a prefervative againft 
Hobgoblins, were but to be indulgent to old wives traditions. Only 
thus much for a corollary I will note to you ; Conrad ' Celtes obferves, 
to be in an abbey at the foot of Vichcelberg hill, near Voitland, fix 
ftatues of ftone, fet in the church- wall, fome feven foot, every one tall, 
bare head and foot, doakt and hooded, with a bag, a book, a ftafF, a 
beard hanging to his middle, andfpreadingamuftachio, an auftere look, 
and eyes fijct on the earth; which he conjedures to be images of them. 
Upon miftaking of Strabo, and applying what he faith in general, and 
bracelets and gold chains of the Gauls, to the Druids, I once thought 
that Conrad had been deceived. But I can now upon better advice in- 
cline to his judgment. 

Which with my Princes Court I fometimes pleased to grace. 

For as in South* Wales, Caermardhin, and afterwards Dinevowr; in 
Powis, Shr«wft)ury, and then Mathraval, fo in North- Wales was Aber- 
fraw in Anglefey, chief place of the princes m rcfidcnce, 

lii 3 v/ CHRO- 

e Strah, Gtdf^r* iC. | ^ Lucian. Jti/jJt* iv W f^fiwayti^^iifA 

4 The dark Ifle i^rif. |«-7fl«/r/t««tT« 5 /f//V. Rt bahttur a^fud A^ 

e Tacit. An, 14. 6f Fit. AgricoUp. \gfit>pam in 3, di Occulta Pbii*>f.pl\ cap. 31^ 

i SM€t, /, 5. caf, 24. & Plin» Htfi. Nat, , atfue ex Antiochi nummis aj>ud J^ Rcu^ 
3©« r» I. cb!ir^ in %, dt arte Cabatiftica, 

a Stmt, in Jtp9C9loc» & Suttw, ubijupra. \ 1 7V»<*7. de Hercvnia Syiva. 
h Dt beli, Gothic, j^ 1 m f r//, in defc'rip, ITaii. 



840 POL r^o L B 10 tf: 

A CHRONOLOGY of the Kings amd Princes of Wiles, from 

* Arthur, until the end of the Britiih blood in them. 

YcarofChrift. 

516. Arthur fucceeded his father Uther Pendragon : of his 

death, fee to the III. fong. 
$42, Conftantine, Ton to Cador Duke of Cornwal (underftand 
Governor, or Lord Lieutenant ; for, neither in thofe 
times, nor long after, was any fuch title particularly 
honorary :) he lies buried at btonehenge, 
541;. Aurelius Conan, 
578, Vortipor. 
581. Malgo. 

586. Catheric. In his time the Britons had much adverfe 
fortune. in war with the Saxons i and then, mod of 
all, made that fece0ion into Wales and. Cornwal, yet 
in name retaining hereof the remembrance. 
About 600. Cadwan. 

About 63Q. Cadwalin orCadwallo: The Britons as in token of Jhis 
powerful refinance and dominion againft the Saxons, 
f ttt ■ him, being dead, into a brazen horfe, and ftf 
It on the top of die weft gate of London ; it feems he 
means Ludgate, 

676. Cadwallader, fon to Cadwallo ; of him and his name, 
fee before. N6r think I the Britiih and Englifli Chro- 
nicles concerning him, reconcikable. In him the 
chief monarchy and glory of the Britiih failed. 

6S8. Ivor fon to Alan, King of Armorique Britain. This Ivor 
they make (but 1 examine it not now) Ine King of 
Weft- Saxons in our monks; that is, he which began 
the Peter-pence to Rome. 

720. Roderique Molwinoc fon of Edwal " Ywrch. 

755. Conan Tindaethwy, fon of Roderique. 
Near 820. Mervin Urich, in right of his wife Efylht, daughter and 
heir to Roderique. 

843. Rodetiaue Mawr, fon to Mervin and Efylht. Among 
his ions was the tripartite divifioii of Wales (as to the 
VII. fong) into Powife, Nortl^, and South- Wales. 

877. Anarawd fon to Roderique. 

913. Edward Vocl, fon of Anarawd. 

940. Howel Dha, cozen german to Edwal, having befort 
the principality of South* Wales and Powis. This it 
he whofe laws are fo famous and inquired of in Rot. 
! Clauf. Wall 9. Ed. I . in the cower. 

94«* 



• I will not juftify the tinet of this 
Jrtimr, nor the re*, before CadwsSader ) 
fo difcording are oor Chrooolof en t aor had 
I time to amkt, aw thiak that uj 



nan hath foffickat meast to n^f them. 

QiThif report is, as the £rit^ ftory 
teHt, iuidly jttftifoUvf if examined, . 

pThcXie. 



SONG THE NINTH. 841 

94S. Jevaf and Jago, Tons of Edwal VoeK 
982. Howdapjeraf. 
^4« CadwiUumap Jcv^f^ 
986. Meredith apOwen 
902. Edwal ap Meyric. 
J 003. i^dan ap Blegorcd. 
1015. Lhcwelin ap Sitfylht. 
1 02 1 • Jago ap Edwal ap Meyric. 
1037. Gruffyih ap Lhcwelin. 
1 06 1 . Slethin and Rhywallon ap Convin. 
1073, Trahaem ap Caradoc. 

107S. GrufFyth ap Conan. He reform'd the Welfli poets and 
minilrelsy and brought over others out of Ireland to 
inftrud^ ihe Wellh, as to the IV. fong. 
1137. Owen Gwineth ap GrufFyth ap Conan. 
1 1 69. David ap Owen Uwineth. In his time, Madoc his bro- 
ther difcQvered part of the Weft Indies. 
1 194. Lehwelin ap Jorweth ap Owen Gwineth. 
1 140. David ap Lhewelin ap Jorwerth. 
1246. Lhewelin ap Gruffyth ap Jorwerth, the laft prince of 

Wales or the Britiih blood. 
ia8a. Edward I. conquered Wales, s^nd got the principality, 
Lhewlin then flain; andfince that (Henry III. before 
gave it alfo to his fon prince Edward) it hath been in 
the eldeil fons, and heirs apparent of the Englifli 
crown. 

Bat note, that after the divifion among Roderique Mawr's fons, the 
principality was chiefly in North- Wsdes, and the reft as tributary to 
rrince ^f that part : and for him as fupreme King of Wales, are all thefe 
Mtt&ipns of time and peifons, until this laft Lhcwelin. 




POLT" 



[ 842 ] 

P L r^o L B I a N : 

The TENTH SONG. 

The Argument, 

^he ferious Mufe berfelf applies 
To MerlifCs ancient prophecies 
At DrnasEmris •, where he Jhow^d 
How fate the Britons rule beftow'd. 
To Conway tiext Jhe turns her tale^ 
xindfings her Ctuyd's renowned vale 5 
Then of Saint Winifrid doth tell^ 
And all t he-wonders of her well-. 
Makes Dee^ Brute's hijiory purfue: 
At whichy fhe bids her Wales adieu. 

Awhile thus taking breath, our way yet fair in view. 
The Mufe her former courfe doth feriouQy purfue. 
From * Penmen's craggy height to try her faily wings, 
Herfelf long having bath'd in the delicious fprings 
(That trembling from his top thro' long-worn crannies creep. 
To fpend their liquid ftore on the iiifatiate deep) 
She meets with Conway firft, which lycth next at hand : 
Whofc precious orient pearl that brcedeth in her land. 
Above the other floods of Britain doth her grace i 
Into the Irilh fea whidi making out her race, 
Supply'd by many a mere (through many feveral rills 
Into her bofom pour'd) her plenteoufly llie fills. 
O goodly river ! near unto thy facred fpring 
§. Prophetic Merlin fat, when to the Britilh king 
The changes long to come, auipicioufly he told. 
Moft happy were thy Nymphs, that wondering did behold 

His 
* Fenmemnauri 



SONG THE TENTH. 843 

His graver wrinkled brow, amazed and did hear 
The dreadful words he fpake, that fo ambiguous were. 
Thrice happy brooks, I fay, that (every way about) 
Thy tributaries be : as is that town, where-out 
Into the fea thou faH'ft, which Conway of thy name 
Perpetually is caird, to regifter thy fame. 
For thou, clear Conway, heard'ft wife Merlin firft relate 
The Deftinies decree, of Britain's future fate •, 
Which tnjly he foretold proud Vortigcr fhouki lofe : 
As, when him from his feat the Saxons fhould depofc ; 
The forces that fhould here from ** Armorick arrive, 
Yet far too weak from hence the enemy to drive : 
And to that mighty king, which ralhly undertook 
A ftrong-waird tower to rear, thofe earthly fpirits tliat fhook 
The great foundation ftill, iti dragons horrid fhaj>e. 
That dreaming wizard told ; making the mountain gape 
With his moft powerful charms, to view thofe caverns deep; 
And from the topof *" Brith, fo high and wondrous fteep. 
Where DinasEmrisftood, fhew'd where the ferpents foughr^ 
The white that tore the red •, from whence the Proplict 

wrought 
The Britons fad decay then fliortly to enfue. 

O ! happy ye, that heard the man who all things knew 
Until the general doom, through all the world admir*d : 
By whofe projJietic faws ye all became infpir'd ; 
As well the forked Neage, that near'ft her fountain fprings^ 
With her beloved maid Melandidar, that brings 
Her flow, where Conway forth into the fea doth Aide 
(That to their miftrefs make from the Denbighian fide) 
As thofe that from the hills of proud Caernarvon fall. 

This fcarce the mufe had faid, but Cluyd doth quickly call 
Her great recourfe, to come and guard her while Ihe glide 
Along the goodly vale (which with her v/ealthy pride 
Much beautifies her banks; fo naturally her own. 
That DyfFren Cluyd by her both far and near is known) 
With high-embattel'd hills that each way is enclosed 
But only on the north : and to the north difpos'd. 

Fierce 
^LittlcBrium in France, ) ^ Part of Soowdoiv, 



$44 P L r.O L B I Q N; 
Fierce Boreas finds accefs to court the dainty vale : 
Who, whifp*ring in her ear with niaiiy a wanton t^Ic, 
Allures her to his love (hi5 lem^n her to make) 
As one that in himfelf much fuflTreth for her fake- 

The ''Orcades, and all thofe '^ Eubides imbrac'd 
In Neptune's aged arms, to Neptyne fceming chafte, 
Yet proftitute themfelves to Boreas i who neglcds 
The Caledonian downs, nor aught at all refpedls 
The other in-land dales, abroad that fcatter'd lie^ 
Some on the Englifli earth* and fome in Albany ; 
But, courting DyfFrcn Cluyd, her beauty doth prefer. 
Such dalliance as alone the north- wind hgth with her, 
^ Orithy^ not enjoy'd, from Thrace when he her took. 
And in his faily plumes the trembling vir^ Ihook : 
But through the extrcam love he to this vale doth bear, 
Grpws jealous at the length, and mightily doth fear 
Great Neptune, whom he fees to fmug his horrid face : 
And, fearing left the God Ihould fo obtain her grace. 
From the fcptentrion cold, in the breem freezing air. 
Where the bleak north- wind keef^s ftill dpmineering there> 
From Shetland ftradling wide, his foot on Thuly fets : 
Whence ftorming, all the vaft Devicalidon he threats. 
And bears his boillerous waves into the narrower mouth 
Of the ' Vergivianfea; where meeting, from th? foiith. 
Great Neptune's furlier tides, with their robuftious (hocks, 
Each other (houlder up againft the grieQy rocks -, 
As ftrong men when they meet, contending for the path : 
But, coming ne^r thecoaft where Cluyd her dwelling hath. 
The north-wind (calm become) forgets his ire to wreak, 
%. And the delicious vale thus mildly doth befpeak : 

♦ Dear Cluyd, th* abundant fweets that from thy bofom 
« flow, 

* When with my aftive wings into the air I throw, 

■*y^ Thofe hills whofe hoary heads fcem in the clouds to dwell, 

• Of aged become young, enamored with the fmell 

d Ifles upon *the Ncrrth^eaft and I ^ The tides out of the north and 
^Weft of Sobdand. i foath feas, nieeting in St. George'* 

• In the 6. book pf Ovid's lAt^ 1 channel, 
timorph. * I* 



SONG THE TENTH. 845 

* Of th* odoriferous flowers in thy moft precious lap ; 
« Within whofe velvet leaves, when I myfelf enwrap, 

* They fuSbcate with fcents-, that (from my native kind) 

* I feem fome flow perfume, and not the fwittefl: wind. 

* With joy, my Dyffrcn Cluyd, I fee thee bravely fpread, 

* Surveying every part, from foot up to thy head ; 

* Thy full and youthful breads, which in their meadowy pride 

* Arc braacht with rivery veins, meander^like that glide. 

* I farther note in thee, more excellent than thefc 

* (Were cherc a thing that more the amorous eye might pleafe) 

* Thy plump and fwelling womb, whole mellowy glebe 

^ doth bear 

* The yellow ripened flieaf, that bendeth with the car/ 

Whillt in this fort his fuit he amoroufly prefer'd, 
Moylvcnnil near at hand, the north- wind over-heard: 
And» vexed at the heart, that he a mountain great, 
Which long time in his breaft had felt love's kindly heat« 
As one whom cryft^l Cluyd had with her beauty caught^ 
Is for that river's fake near of his wits diftraughr, 
With inly rage to hear that valley fo extol'd ; 
And yet that brook, whofe coqrfe fo batful makes her mould. 
And one that lends that vale her moft renowned name. 
Should of her meaner far, be over-gone in fame. 
Wherefore Moylvcnnil will'd his Cluyd herfelf to fliow : 
Who, from her native font, as proudly flie doth flow. 
Her hand-maids <Manian hath, and ^Hefpin, her to bring 
To Ruthin. Whofe fair feat firft kindly vifuing. 
To lead her thence in flate, • Lewenny lends her Iburce : 
That when Moylvcnnil fees his river's great recourfe. 
From his intrenched top is pleas'd with herfupplies, 
^Claweddock cometh in, and< Iftrad liewife hies 
Unto the queen-like Cluyd, as flie to Denbigh draws : 
And on the other fide, from whence the morning daws, 
Down from the Flintian hills comes Wheeler, her to bear 
To lacred Afaph's fee, his hallowed temple ^ where 
Fair £lwy having won her filler Aled's power. 
They entertain their Cluyd near mighty Neptune's bower: 

Who 

t Khrerets roiming iatt| Ooyd ttatof DmbigihandFUntflutc^ 



846 P O LT^O L B 10 N: 

Who likfewife is fuftain'd by Senion, laft that falls. 

And from the virgin's well doth wafh old Ruthland's walll 

Moylvennil with her fight that never is fuffic'd, 
Now with cxceffive joy fo ftrongly is furpriz'd. 
That thus he proudly fpake ; * On the Gwynethian ground 

* (And look from eaft to weft) what country is there crown'c 

* As thou ^ Tegcnia art ? that, with a vale fo rich 

< (Cut thorough with the Cluyd, whofe graces me bewitch 

* The fruitfurft of all Wales, fo long haft honored been ; 

* As alfo by thy fpring, fuch wonder who doft win, 

« §. That naturally remote fix Britifli miles from fea, 

* And rifing on the firm, yet in the natural day 

* Twice falling, twice doth fill, in moft admired wife. 

* When Cynthia from the eaft unto the fouth doih rife, 

* That mighty Neptune flows, then ftrangely ebbs thy well 

* And when again he finks, as ftrangely Ihe doth fwellj 

* §. Yet to the facred fount of Winifrid gives place ; 

* Of all the Cambrian fprings of fuch efpecial grace, 

* That oft the ' Devian nymphs, as alfo thofe that keep 
« Amongft the coral-groves in the Vergivian deep, 

* Have left their watry bowers, their fccret fafe retire, 
« To fee her whom report fo greatjy (hould admire 

* (Whofe waters to this day as perfeft are and clear, 
« As her delightful eyes ii\ their full beauties were, 

* A virgin while Ihe liv'd) chafte Winifrid : who chofe 

* Before her maiden-gem Ihe forcibly would lofe, 

* To have her harmlefs life by the lewd raptor fpilt : 

* For which, ftill more and more to aggravate his guilt, 

* The lifelefs tears (he fhed, into a fountain turn. 

* And that, for her alone the water (hould not mourn, 

* The pure vcrmillion blood, that i(rued from her veins, 

* Unto this very day the pearly gravel ftains \ 

* As erft the white and r^ were mixed in her check. 

* And, that one part of her might be the other like, 

* Her hair was lurn'dto naofs •, whofe fweetnefs doth declare 

* In livelinefs of youth the natural fweets (he bare : 

* Anc 
* Part of the Vale call'dTeg-l « Of Dec. ^ - 

^glc, i.e<FiirEDgUuid. 1 



SONG THE TEJ^Ta 847 

* And of her holy life the innocence to (how, 

* Whatever living thing into this well you throw, 

* She ftrongly bears it up, not fufF'ring it to fink. 

* Befides, the wholfome ufe in bathing, or in drink, 

* Doth the difeafed cure, as thereto (he did leave 

* Her virtue with her name, that time fhould not bereave/ 

Scarce of this tedious tale Moylvennil made an end. 
But that the higher ^ Yale, whofe being doth afcend 
Into the plealantEaft, his loftier head advanced, 
This region, as a man that long had been intranc'd 
(Whilft thus himfelf to pleafe, the mighty mountain tells 
Such * farlies of his Cluyd, and of his wondrous wells) 
Stood thinking what to do : left fair Tegenia, placed 
So admirably well, might hold herfelf dilgrac'd 
By his fo barren fite, being mountainous and cold. 
To nothing more unlike than Dyffren's batfiil mould ; 
And in rcfpeft of her, to be accounted rude. 

.Yale, for he would not be confounded quite by Cluyd, 
(And for his common want, to coin fome poor excufe) 
Unto his proper praife, difcreetly doth produce 
A valley, for a vale, of her peculiar kind ; 
In goodncls, breadth,and length, though Dyffren far behind: 
On this yet dare he ftand, that for the natural frame, 
§. That figure of the crofs, of which it takes the name. 
Is equal with the beft, which elfe excel it far: 
And by^the power of that moft facred charadter, 
Relpedl beyond the reft unto herfelf doth win. 

When now the fterner Dee doth inftantly begin 
His ampler felf to fhow that (down the verdant dale) 
Strains in his nobler courfe along the rougher Yale, 
T* invite his favouring brooks: where from that fpadous 

lin 
Through which he comes unmbtt, firft " Alwin falleth in: 
And going on along, ftill gathering up his force. 
Gets " Gerrow to his aid, to haften on his courie. 

Where- 

< A place mountainOHSt and bme* I ' Strai^e dungs, 
whatinacccffibk. .1 



«48 JP O L^r-0 L B lb N: 

With " Chriftioneth next, comes "* Keriog in apac^. 
Out of the leaden mines, then with her fullied face 

* Claweddock cafts about where Gwenrow (he may greets 
Till like two loving frifcnds they under Wrexam meet. 
Then " Alen makes approach (to Dee mod inly dear) 
Taking " Tegiddog in ; who earned to be there. 

For hafte, twice under earth her cryftal head doth run : 
When ihftantly again Dee*^ holinefs begun* 
By his contrafted front and fterner waves to (how. 
That he had things to fpeak, might profit them to knovr j 
A brook that was (uppos'd much bufinefs to have (ccn. 
Which had an ancient bound 'twixt Wales and England been. 
And noted was by both to be an ominous floods 
That changing of his fords, the future ill or good 
Of cither country told ; of cither's war or peace, 
The fickncfs, or the health, the dearth, or the increaic : 
And that of all the floods of Britsdn, he might boafl: 
His ftream in former times to have been honoured moft. 
When as at Chefter once king Edgar held his court, 
§. To whom eight le(rer kings with homage did refort: 
That mighty Mercian lord, him in his barge beftowM, 
And W^s by all thofe kings about the river rowM. 
For which, the hallowed Dee fo much upon him took. 
And now the time was come, that this impejrious brook, 
The long-traduced Brute determin'd to awake, 
And in the Britains right thus boldly to them fpake ; 
* O ye, the ancient race of famous Brute that be, 

* §. And thou, the queen of ifles, Great-Britain ; why cjoy* 
^ Your grandfire^s God-like name (wkh a negle^ful ear) 

^ In ib reproachful terms and ignominy hear, 

* By every one of late contemptuoufly difgrac'd ; 

* That he, whom time fo long and ftrongly hath embracM, 

* Should be rcjeded quite ? The reafon urged why, 

* Is by the general foe thus anfwerM by and by : 

^ That Brutus, as you fay, by fea who hither came, 

* From whom you would fuppofe tlus ifle firft took the name, 

•Merely 
f The rivm m Ae Baft of Denbigh, fidlijis into Oce. 



SONG THE TENTH. 849 

* Mecrly fi6titious is ; nor could the Romans hear 

• (Moft ftudious of the truth, and near'ft thofc times that 

were) 
Of any fuch as he : nay, they who moft do ftrive. 
From that great ftock of Troy their Uneage to derive. 
In all the large defcent of Julus, never found 
That Brute, on whom we might our firft beginning ground . 

* To this affcrtion, thus I faithfully reply ^ 
And as a friend to truth, do conftantly deny 
Antiquity to them, as nearer to thofe times ; 
Their writings to precede our ancient Britifh rhymes ! 
But that our noble Bards, which fo divinely fung 
That rcmnartt of old Troy, of which the Britains fprung. 
Before thofe Romans were, as proof we can produce ; 
§. And learning long with us, ere 'twas with them in ufc. 
And they but idly talk, upbraiding us with lies. 

J. That GeflFiray Monmouth, firft, our Brutus did devife. 
Not heard of till his time our adverfary fays : 
When pregnantly we prove, ere that hiftorian's days, 
A thoufand lingering years, our prophets clearly fong 
The Britain-founding Brute, moft frequent them among^ 
From Talicflcn wife (approved fo with us, 
That what he fpake was held to be oraculous. 
So true his writings were) and fuch immortal men 
As this now-waning world (hall hardly hear again 
In our own genuine tongue, that natives were of Wales, 
Our GeHray had his Brute. Nor were thefe idle tales 
(As he may ftnd, the truth of our defccnts that feeks) 
Nor fabulous, like thole devifcd by the Greeks t 
But from the firft of time, by judges ftill were heaid^ 
Dilcreetly every ° year correfting where they crr*d. 

* And that iJhereon our foe his greateft hold doth take, 
Agunft the handled caufe and moft doth feem to make, 
IS) that w^ (hew no book our Brutus to approve ; 

But that our idle Bards, as their fond rage did move. 
Sang what their fancies pleasM. Thus do I anfwer thefe ; 
That th'andent Britifh priefts, the fearlefi Druides, 

*That 
f At the St^Ti : 6e to tlie fbnrdi fang. 



85P P LT^O L B 10 Ni 

* That minifter'd the laws, and were fb truly wife) 
"• That they determined ftates^ attending facrifice, 

* §. To letters never would their myfteries commit^ 

* For which the breads of men they deem'd to be more fit 

* Which queftionlefs Ihould feem from judgment to proceed 

* For, when of ages pad we look in books to read, 

* We retchleQy difcharge our memory of thofe. 

* So when injurious time, fuch monuments doth lofe 

* (As what fo great a work, by time that is not wrackt ? ) 
« We utterly forego that memorable a6l : 

* But when we lay it up within the minds of men, 

* They leave it their next age \ that, leaves it hers agcn : 
' So ftrongly which (methinks) doth for trjKiition makc> 

* As if you from the world it altogether take, 

* You utterly fubvert antiquity thereby. 

* For though time well may prove that often Ihe dothly, 

* Pofterity by her yet many things hath known, 

* That ere men learnM to write,could no way have been (hoWn 
*For, if the fpirit of God did not our faith afiiire 

* The fcriptures be from heaven, like heaven, divinely pure. 

* Of Mofes' mighty works, I reverendy may lay 
« (I fpeak with godly fear) tradition put away, 

* In power of human' wit it eas'ly doth not ly 

* To prove before the flood the genealogy. 

* Nor any tiling there is that kindlier doth agree 

* With our defcent from Troy (if things compar'd maybe] 

* Than peopling of this place, near to thofe ages, when 

* Exiled by the Greeks, thofe poor world-wand'ring noes 

* (Of all hope to return into their country reft) 

* Sought (hores whereon to fet that little them was left: 

* From fome fuch god-like race we queftionlefs did fpringj 

* Who foon became fo great here once inhibiting. 

^ So barbarous nor were we, as many have us made, 

^ And Caelar*s envious pen would all the world perfwade, 

*. His own ambitious ends in feeking to advance, 

* When with his Roman power arriving here from France, 
^ If he the Britains found experienced fo in war, 

* That they widx fuch great fkill could wield their irmed car \ 

3 'Aiid 



SONG tut TENTH* 851 

' And^ as he (till came on, his fkilful march to let, 

* Cut down their aged oaks, and in the rivers fet 

* The fliarp fteel-pointed ftakes, as he the fords (hould pafe 5 
^I fain would underltand how 'tis that nation was 

^ So ignorant he would make, and yet fo knowing war. 
* But, in things pad fo long (for all the world) we arc 
^ like to a man embarkt, and travelling- the deep : 

* Who failing by fome hill, or promontory fteep 

* Which juts into the fea, with an amazed eye 

^ Beholds the clifis thrult up into the lofty fky, 

* And th*morc that he doth look, the more it draws his fight; 

* Now at the cra^y front, then at the wond'rous wdght : 
*Buti from the paflcd Ihore ftill as the fwelling fail 
'(Thruft forward by the wind) the floating barque dothhail^ 

* The mighry giant-heap, fo Icfs and lefler ftill 

* Appeareth to the eye, until the monftrous hill 

•At length fhews like a cloud; and farther being caft, 

* Is out of kenning quite : fo, of the ages paft ; 

* Thofe things that in their age much to be wonder'd were, 
*Sttll as wing-footed time them farther off doth bear, 
•Do leflen every hour.* When now the mighty preafe. 
Impatient of his fpeech, intreat the flood to ceafe. 

And cry with one confent, the Saxon ftate to fliow. 
As dngry with the mufe fuch labour to beftow 
Oh Wales, but England ftill neglefbed thus to be. 
J^xid having paft the time, the honourable Dee 
At Chefter was arriv'd, and bade them all adieu : 
When our intended courfe with England we purfue. 



K 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Etotnittg into the land, the mufe leads you about Denbigh and 

^ Flinty xnoft northern and maritime (hires of Wales i which conclude 

Sefc ieven hft books dedicated to the glory of that third part of great 

Iritiiti. 
Frophetifue Merlin fate^ when to the Britijb King. 

In tlie firfi declining ftate of the Britiih empire (to explain the author 
b this of Merlin) Vortigem» by advice of his magicians, after divers un* 
^*~— *l focecflci itt wan liMved to ereit a ftronft fort in^M^N^u V\>^ 



852 POL r-O LB 10 N: 

(not far from Conway's head in the edge of Merioneth) which might be 
as his laH and fureft refuge againit the increadng power of tlie Enelifii. 
Ma(bns were appointed, and the work begun ; but what they built in 
the day* was always fwallowed up in the earth next night. The king 
aikscounfel of his magicians touching this prodigy : they advife, that he 
mud find out a child which had no father, and with his blood fprinlde 
the ftones and mortar, and that then the caftle would fUnd as oa a firm 
foundation. Search was made, and in Caer-Merdhin (as you have it 
to the fifth fong) was Merlin Ambrofe found : he, being hither brought 
to the king, flighted that pretended (kill oF thofe ms^iciani , as palliated 
ignorance ; and with confidence of a more knowing fpirit, undertakes ta 
&ew the true caufe of that amazing ruine of the (lone-work ; telts them, 
that in the earth was a great water, which could endure continuance of 
BO heavy fuperllrudion. I'he workmen digged to difcover the truth, 
and foaod it fo. He then befeeches the king to caufis them make farther 
inqoifition, and affirn^, that in the bottom of it were two deeping dra^ 
gons : which proved fo likewife, tiie one white, the other red ; the 
white he interpreted for the Saxons, the red for the Britons : and upon 
this event here in * Dinas Emrys, as they call it, began he thofe pio- 
phecies to Vortigern, whicii are common in the Britifh ftory. Henct 
queilionlefs was thatfidion of the mufesbeit pupil, the noble Spenfer^» 
in fuppofing Merlin ufually to vifit his old Timon, whofe dwelling he 
places 

hvo in a valley Men 



VfiAer the fwt of Rauran mojfy hoary 

Fram iMhtnce the river Dee as fihver cleen* 

His tunibli/ig hillo^'s rolls tivith gentle ro<w. 

For tMi5 Rauran-vaur hill is thereby in Merioneth : but obfervc with- 
all, the difference of the Merlins, Ambrofe and Silvefter, which ii be- 
fore to the fourth fong $ -and permit it only as poetical, that he make* 
king Arthur and this Meriiu of one time. Thefe prophecies were by 
Geffrey ap Arthur at rcqueil of Alexander biihop of Lincoln nodw 
Henry I. turned inco Latin, and fome three hundred years fince had 
interpretation bellowed on them by a German dodor, one Jtanus 4t 
Infulis^ who never before, but twice fince that happy inauguration and 
mighty increafe of dominion in our prefent fovereign, hath been im- 
printed. It is certain that oftentimes they may be diredlly and without 
condraint applyed to fome event of fucceeding time; as that whicii we 
have before to the fifth fong of Cacrlcon, and this, the IJleJhatt agmfi> 
U named after Brute ; which is now feen by a publick edid, ana m, 
fome of his majeily*s prefent coins, and with more fuch : yet Jedng 
learned ^ men account him but a profeffor of unjuilifiable magiqtte, ana 
that all prophecies either fall true, or elfe are among the afiedlers of fach 
vanity perpetually expeOed, and that of later time the council of Trent 
have by their expurgatories proliibited it, I ihould abufe you, if I 

fndfjr, 

a Ambrofe' s Bury. Uintrm* a. c. S. '( < WitTn de j^^fiigH* l^€m9»% 3b tlf^lia 
b Faery Q^ M /. Cant. $, ^r^MS, 4. |; tf/yV 



SONG THE TENTH. 853 

AKkaVbured to perfwade your belief to conceit of a true foreknow- 
kdge in liiin. 

yind the delicious vale thus mildly doth befpeak. 

If your conceit yet fee not the purpofe of this fiftion, then thus takt 
it. This vale of Cluyd (for fo is the Englifh of ?9pp^2pn Ctopti) 
oeendcd from the middle of Denbigh-fhire to ehe fea, about eighteen 
fflfles long, and fome ^yt in breadth, having thefe three excellencies, a 
fertile foil, healthfiil air, and pleafant feat for habitation, wafht through 
the middle with this river, and encompafb on the eaft, weft, and fouth 
^ich high mountains, freely receives the wholfome blafts of the north- 
wind (much accounted of among builders and geoponiques for immiffion 
of pare air) coming In from that part which lies open to the fea : 
whereupon the mufe very properly makes the vale here Boreas his be- 
loved ; and in refped of his violence againft the waters, fuppofeth him 
jeakms of Neptune ; whofe ravifhing waves in that troubled Iriih fea, 
and the depreil ftate of the valley warrants it. And for that of MoyU 
vomil's love to the river, wantonly running by him ; I know your con- 
ceit cannot bat apprehend it. 

That naturally remote fix BHtiJh miles from fea. 

It IS in the parifh of Kilken in Flintfhire, where it ebbeth ^ and 
floweth in dired opposite times to the fea, as the author defcribes ; they 
call it « Jf fnon flettDD : Such a one is there about a furlong from the 
Severn fea, by Newton in ^ Glamorganlhire, and another ebbing and 
flowing (but with the common courfe of the moon, afcending or fetting) 
1^ Dinevor t in Caermerdhinfhire Nor think I any reafons more 
dtlEcult to be given, than thofe which are mofl fpecially hidden, and 
moft frequently ftrange in particular qualities of floods, wells, and 
%rjDgs ; in which (before all other) nature feems as if fhe had, for 
HHUi^s wonder, affeded a not intelligible variety, fo different, fo remoto 
from conceit of inoft piercing wits; and fuch unlookt-for operations 
both of their iirfl and iecond qualities (to ufe the fchool phrafe of 
them) ate m every chronographer, naturalift, and hiftorian. 

Tet to the f acred fount of Winifrid gives place. 

At Haliwd a maritime village, near Bafmgwerk in Flint, is this 
Wiiiifred*s well, whofe fweetneis in the mofs, wholfomnefs for bath, 
and other fuch ufeful qualities^ have been referred to her martyrdom in 
this phee. Bat D. Powel upon Girald, in effed thus : Henry II. in 
hia firft WeUh expedition fortified the caftle of Bafingwerk, and near 
hff tmis a ceU for Tettiplerff, which continued there until their diflb- 

K k k a lutieA 

I, 

a. Bumf.. Llmi4:dtfcritt. I f StrsdRug, mp, Cttmi, 

f: TtvHt^ a GiraSl, h'mtr. i.eap^ 10, \ g CirMJitimr§r. i, cdf « i»% 



854 



POL r-0 L B ION: 



lation mider ** Edwird II. and was after, converted to a neil of lubberlf 
monks, whofe fuperftitious honouring her more than truth, caufed this 
dedication of the fountain ; fo much to their profit (in a kind of mer- 
chandize then too fhamefully id requefl) that they had large guer- 
dons (it belonging to the cell) of thofe, which had there any medi- 
cine, befide increaiing rents which accrued to them yearly out of 
pardons to fuch Zii came thither in folemn pilgrimage. This title of 
.exa^on they purchased of P. P. Martin the V. under Henry the V.and 
added more fuch gaining pretences to themfelves in time of Henry' VII. 
by like authority $ nor, until the more clear light of the gofpel, yetcon- 
tinning its comfortable beams among us, diffipated thofe foggy mifls of 
error And fmoak-felling impoflure, ended thde collefled revenues. The 
aothor follows the legend i but obferve times compared, and you (hall 
find no mention of this well, and the healthful operations of it, until 
long after the fuppofed time of St. Winfred*s martyrdom* 

That figure of the Crofs^ of which it takes the name. 

Depreft among mountains this valley expreiTes the fo^m of a Cfofii 
and fo is calFd the Crois vale, and in Britim %^9Xi €^lDt#« 

Xo whom eight lejfer kings with homage did refort. 

Upon comparing our (lories, I find them to be Kenneth of Scotland, 
li^colm of Cum^land, Malcuze king of th^ ifles (whom Malmef- 
bury gives only the name of Archpirate) Donald^ Siffireth, Howd, 
Jago, and InchithO, kings of Wales. All thefe, he (thus toucht with 
imperious afiedlion of glory) fitting at the ftem, compelled to row him 
over Dee ; his greatnefs as well in fame as truth, daily at this time in- 
creaiing, cad6*d multitudes of aliens to admire and vifit his court) as a 
place honoured above all other by this fo mighty and worthy a priAce : 
and, through that abundant confluence, fuch vicious courfes followed 
by example, that, even now was the age, when firft the morefimple 
and frugal natures of the Englifh grew infedled with what (in fome 
,part) yet we languifh. For, before his time, the Angles hither tra» 
duc'd, being ^ homines inttgri^ and ufmg, naturalifimplicltaufua difen* 
farif aliena non mirariy did now learn from the Granger- Saxons an UD^ 
civil kind of fiercenefs, of the Flemings effeminacy, of the Danes dnm- 
kennefi, and fuch other; which fb increaft, that, for amendment of the 
laft, the king was driven to confUtute quantities in quafHng-bowls by 
little pins of metal, fet at certain diftances, beyond which, none dar& 
fwaUow in that provocation of good fellowfliip. 

As thou J the ^ of Ifles ^ great Britain ~ 

- Both fcr excellence in foil and itir, as alfo fi)r^largf continiiit» fhe 
• bath this title. And although in ancienteft time of the Greeks fdiat 

h 5 Bd^ u I looking only to their eW8| lie|le^ti| 

i Hmdll aten l»y fiinpllcity of aaturr, I others, Mafmf/hr^ 



SONG THE TENTH. 855 

]iath any fioiy or chorpgnphy} Sardinia was accounted the ^ greateft 
iikji and by fome Sicily, as tbe old verfes of the ' Seven tell us, and 
that by "^ Ptolemy the EaU- Indian Tapobran, now called Sumatra, had 
preheminence of quantity before this of ours; yet certainly, by com- 
panion of that with this, either according to the meafure took of it by 
Qneficrit ^ upon Alescander's commandment, or what later time teaches 
us^ we cannot but affirm with tbe author here in fubibince, that 



" iiirig aKkfi 



as Icngfince, Dionyfius Afer of our Britain, which hath given caufe to 
call it apother World, as the attributes of it m, Virgil, Horace, Clau- 
dian, and others jnSdfy. 

^nd learning long mtb us ere *twas with them in ufe. 

For the Druids, being in profeflion very proportionate in many things 
to Cabaftilique and Pythagorean dodtrine, may well be fuppQ3*d mudi 
ancicnter than any that had note of learning among the Romans, who 
P before Livius Salinator, and Nxvius, Ennius, Pacuvius, Accius, and 
others, not much preceding Cseiar, ca^ fcarce (hew fleps of poefy, nor 
before Fabius pidlor, Valerius Antias, and fome fuch now lefl only in 
their names (although by pretence of Annius there be a piece of Pi{br 
pubtifhed)' can produce the title of a {bry : whereas we have 9 fome 
that make that fuppofed eldeil Hiflorian (of the Gentiles) extant, Pares 
Phryg^ns, tranflated bv Cornelius Nepos, and dedicated to Saluftj, to 
have lived here,, but mdeed upon no fuch warrant as I dare trufl. 

Our Geffrey Monmouth firfi our Brutus to devife. 

It was fo laid to Geffrey's charge (he was bifhop of St. Afaph, un^ 
der king Stephen) by John of Whethamfled, abbot of St. Alban's, Wil- 
liam Petit, caird William of Newboroagh and fome other : but plainly 
(let the reft of his ftory, and the particulars of firute be as they can) 
the name of Brute was long before him in Welfh (out of which his dory 
was partly tranflated) and Latin teftimonies of the Britains, as I have, 
ibr the author, more largely fpoken, to the firll fong. And (a little to 
continue my firft juftification, for this time) why may not we as well 
think that many flories and relations, anciently written here, have 
been by the Pids, Scots, Romans, Danes, Saxons an4 Normans, de- 
voured up from pofterity, which perhaps, had they been left to us, 
would have ended this controverfy ? Shall we doubt of what Livy, Poly- 
bius, HalicarnaiTeus, Fiutarqh, Strabo, and many others have had out 

K k k 3 of 



k Scylar. CaryantU in mfi7r\i Edit* 
fKD.Hoefilmlitim. 
1 Ei^atb. ad Dionyf, Afrum^ 



n 5o/;>, t^lyhift. €ap» 66. 

io No other ifle is equal to Britain, 

p F. Liv, Dfc^d, X, (0*' 6. 

^ //*?/. {entttr, i. 



856 POL r-0 L B I N: 

of Fabius, Antias, Chereas, Solylas, Ephonis, Theopompiu, (£ti»» 
Qaadrigarius^ with infinite other, now loft writers, becaufe we fee flat 
the felf authors ? No, time hath ranfackt more pretious things, and. even 
thofe fuperexcellent books, wherein that incomparable Solomon WfOtt 
from the eedar to the hyfTop, were (upon fear of the facile multitode^s 
'too much refpedting natural caufes in them divinely handled) by kittg 
Ezechias fuppreft from fucceeding ages, if my ' authority deceive not. 
So that the lofs in this, and all kinds^ to the common- wealth of letters, 
bath been fo grievous and irreparable, that we may well imagine, how 
errour of conceit in fome, envy in others, and hoiUle invaiion hath be- 
reft us of many monuments moft precious in all forts of literature, if we 
JDDW enjoy'd their inftru6ling ufe : and to conclude, the antiquities of 
^thefe original a?es are like thofe of Rome, between it built and borne by 
the Gauls ; ' Cum «vetuftate nimid ob/cura, ^velut qua (as ^ Livy fays) . 
magno ex inter^va/Io foci *vix cemuntur : turn quod ferrara^ per eadtm 
tempora Litene fuerey una cufi^dla fidelu memori^ rerum gejlarum i ^» 
quokeiiam^ Jt quiS in commentarits Ponttficum aiiifque fuhlicis privati/que 
erant monumentisy incenfa urbe^ pleraque interiere. But all this in efied 
tte mule tells you in the fixth canto. 

^0 letters never would their myfteries commit. 

- What they taught their fcholars for matter of law, hcathenifh reli- 
gion, and fuch learning as they here were prelidents of, was delivered 
only by word of mouth ; and, left memory unuied might fo &il, they per- 
mitted not commiflion of their ledures and inftru^ons to the cuftody 
of writing, but delivered all in a multitude of veries and Pythagorean 
precepts, exadly imitating the Cabalifts ; which, until of late t]|iic» 
wrote not, but taught and learned by mouth and diligent hearing of their 
J^abbins. In other matters, private and publick (fo is « Caefar*s afiertion) 
they ufed Greek letters, which hath made fome think that they 
wrote Greek. But be not eafily thereto perfwaded. Perhaps they 
might ufe Greek charafters, feeing that thofe which the Greeks then 
Ijao, and how ufe, were at firft received from J ftrangers, and as 
. tikely from the Druids as from Smy other, for it is fufficiently jaftifiable 
out of old coins, infcriptions, and exprefs * afTertion, that the ancient 
character among the Greeks was almoft the fame with that which is 
now the Latins. But thence to colleft that therefore tfaey wrote or 
fpake Greek, is as if you fliould affirm the Syriack teftament to be 
Hebrew, becaufe publifhed in Hebrew letters ; or fome Latin treatiies, 
Saxon, becaufe in that charader ; or that the Saxons wrote Irifli, be- 
caufe they ufed the » Iriih form of writing ; or that thofe books which 

are 

3 Plin. Hijk. NMt. 7. €0p, 58. a^, / 
placet, mideat AmUnoi iilos, ArcUlocb, di 
Temponh, & Xinopb, in Mqui'uocis* 

a Camd. in Uihermtu dsf , ptr GriKii 
litcras in arS Vlyjfi* in ttnfm^ JLbetiit ^ 
Germaniay apud 'taciturn, Zipjut Ckkm 
n(Xnc9 Joiummtd^ intfltigit^ 



t Pi Zerrtf Htmtmr. cpud Munfl, sd 
M:iced. 1 5. 

s Worn away by devouring time, and 
the enemies ranfacking the city, ftc. 

t Dec, I. lib, 6. Of the Druidi fee fully 
to rhe IX. £>ng. 

u Cajar, Oe BdU CaUit, Ub^ 6« 

\ lurrodtiing, Latt'J^ 



SONG THB TENTH. 



857 



arepuUifiicd JD Dotch by (bac Jews in a fpecial kind of Hebrew kttei# 
iboiud alio be of the £u&e toi^ue. Obfenre but this pafiage in Cxfiir : 
He fends by a Gaul (allured to thb nils againft hb country by large 
ivwsards) a letter to Q^Qcero, being then befieged about ^ where now 
as Tourney, i^ * Grads cm/cnpfit Uteris^ iff, interceftd Efiftola^ wftrm 
(iaith he liimfelf ) ^ boftibus confilia t^gnnfiantur. To what pnrpoie 
did he thus, if the Gaols, or their ftatefmen the Druids underflood 
Greek ? 1 know what he d writes of thofe tables of account found in 
the now Switzerland, but (hall not ibon believe that they had much 
more Greek in them than the charader. If you obje6k * Strabo hit 
affirmancet that the Gaols (for as long as Ifpeak of them in genera] in 
this kmd, I will include our Druids, as fafficient reaibn is eiiewhere 
given) were grown fuch lovers of that tongue, ^ irt t^ rJi ^uyiCiK^UL 
*E\KlufiTi ycM^^^* ^^ ^^ ^^^^ anfwered, that he ijpeaKs only of thoie 
about Markiiles, which was, and is well known to all men, to have been 
a colony of Phocians, out of the now Natolia ( which were Greeks) by 
appointment of fate arriving at the mouth of the Rhofne, about the 
time of Tarquin the Proud ; where Protis, one of their chief lead- 
ers, entertained by Nannus king of that coaft, was chofen (ac- 
oording to their cuAom) in a banquet by Gyptis the king^s daughter for 
her hufband ; hereto fuccefs grew fo fortunate, that honourable refpeft 
on both fides, joinM with imitation of Greek civility (after this city 
built near their arrive) it feem'd, as my author f lavs, as if Gonl had 
been tum*d into Gree^, ratker than Greece to have travailed into Gaul. 
Wonder not then why, about Marfeilles, Greek was fb refpeded, nor 
why in the Romaunt French now fuch Hellenifros are : here you fee 
apparent origiaal of it ; yet oondode, apon the ibrmer reafons, that 
the Druids and Gaub ufed a peculiar tongue, and very likely the fame 
with the now Welfh, as moft learned Camden hath even demonftrated ; 
although I know fome great fcholars there are, which fliJl fufpend their 
judgment, and make it adodbt. as ever things of fuch antiqaity will be. 
fiut (if you will) add hereto that of the famous and great lawyer ^ Ho- 
toman, who prefumes that the word Gracis in Csefar's text is crept in 
by ignorance of tranfcribers, as he well might, feeing thofe commcn* 
taries, titled with name of J. Ceelar, conunonly publifhed, and in divers 
MSS. with J. Celfus, are very unperfe&» now and then abrupt, different 
io Aile, and fo variable in their own form, that it hath been much 
feared by that great ^ critique Lipiius, left fome more impolite hand 
hath fowM many patches of bafe cloth into that more rich web, as his 
own metaphor expreiles it. And if thofe charaflers which are in the 
pillars at Y- Voelks in Denbighfhire, are of the Druids, as fome imagine 
(yet feeming very ftrahge and uncouth) then might you more confidently 

K k k 4 concur 



b Nen'ij. deSello Gatt, 5. 

c Wrote it in Greek^ left the enemy 
might by interccptiag the letters, difcover 
lu dcfign. 

^ Oe Mi.Gsak.i. 

t Gitgr, A 

tThit they wtotc their loftrumcnU cf 
twuet in Gruk, 



g Trog, Pomp, Wft, 4j. 
h Ffancv-Gaff, cap, i. jUem «. eti^m aJ 
Cafar^ Com, 

k £Ua, 2. cap, 7. Eftfi^Uc* (gtatf. a. 



85« POL r-O L B I O N: 

concar in opinion with Hotoman, In ramm» I know that Graqs Bm 
ttris may be uken as well for the language (as in * Juftin I remember, 
and eliewhere) as for the charader : but here I can never think it to 
be underftood in any but the laft fenfe, although you admit Caefiu^ 
copy to be therein not interpolated. It is very juftifiable which the 
author here implies, by flighting Caefar's authority in Britiih originals, in 
reif o6t tnat he never came farther into the ifle than a little beyond 
Thames towards » Bcrkfture ; although fome of ours idly talk of his 
making tbe Bath, and being at Chefter, as the Scottiih hiftorians moft 
fenflefly of their %ViXf QOff built by him, which others refer " to 
Ve(paiian» fome affirm it a temple ^ of the god Terminus ; whereas it 
fetms exprefly to be built by Caraufius, in time of Dioclefian, if Nen- 
Bios deceive us not. But, this out my way. 

IHi/t, lib, 10. in extrtma, | a yertmund, ap, Heff, Beet, bUi, 3, 

in Citjartmji Ugas^ tibi t'pJiJath/aeUs, | o BucbanMH, biJL 4. fii DmskU, 
%'trum 9 if* Ltknd ad Cjg, Com:, in Baln^ > 



P LT.O L B I O N: 

The ELEVENTH SONG, 

The Argument. 

^he Mufcj her native earth to fee^ 
Returns to England over jDee ; 
. Vijits ftout Cbejfbirey and there Jhows 
To her and hers , what England owes % 
And of the nymphets /porting there 
Jn J^yrralj and in Delamere, 
tf^eever^ the great devotion fings 
Of the religious Saxon kings ; 
Thofe riverets doth together call^ 
That into him and Merfey fall. 
Thence bearing to thtjide of Peak^ 
This zealous canto off doth break. 

WITH as unwea^ed wings, and in as high a gait 
As when wcfirftfct forth, obferying cyery ftate. 



The 



SONG THE ELEVENTTH. 859 

The mufe fitJm Cambria comes, with pinions fummM zM 

found ! 
And havmg put her fclf upon the Englilh ground, 
Firft leifeth in her courfe the nobleft Ceftiian fhore 1 
$. Of our great Englifh bloods as careful here of yore^ 
As Cambria of her Brute's now is, or could be then ; 
For wWch, our proverb calls her, Chefhire, chief of meni 
§• And of our counties, place of PaMine doth hold^ 
And thereto hath her high regalides enroU'd : 
Beiidcs, in many fields fince conquering William came. 
Her people fhe h^ith proved, to her eternal fame. 
All, children of her own, the leader and the led. 
The mi^tiefl men of bone, in her full bolbm bred : 
And neither of them fuch as cold penurious need 
Spurs to each rafh attempt ; but fuch as foundly feed. 
Clad in warm Englifh cloth ^ and maimM fhould they re^ 

turn 
( Whom this falfe ruthlefs world elfefrom Aeir doors would 

fpum) 
Have livelihood of their own, their ages to fuflain. 
Nor did the tenant's pay the land-lord's charge maintain ; 
But as abroad in war, he fpent of his eftate ; 
Returning to his home, his hofpitable gate 
The richer and the poor flood open to receive. 
They, of all England, moft to ancient cufloms cleave. 
Their yeomanry and ftill endeavoured to uphold. 
For righdy wUdft her felf brave England was of old. 
And our courageous kings us forth to conquefls led. 
Our armies in thofe times (near through the world fo dread) 
Ofour tall yeomen were, and foot-men for the mofl ; 
Who (with their bills and bows) may confidently boafl, 
§• Our leopards they fb long and bravely did advance 
Above the fleur de lis, even in the heart of France. 

O ! thou thrice happy fhire, confined fo to be 
'Twixt two fo famous floods, as Merfey is, and Dee ! 
Thy Dee upon the wefl fi-om Wales doth thee divide : 
Thy Merfey on the norths from the Lancafhian fide. 

Thy 



S6o POL r-O L B 10 N.- 

Thy natural fiflcr-fhire ; and linkt unto diee Ibj 

That L-ancafliire along with CheKhire ftill doth go. 

As tow'rds the Derbian Ptak, and M oreland (which <k>(]Faw 

More mountainous and Wild) the high-crown'd ShutlingOaw 

And Moicop be thy niounds^ with thofe proud hilk whence 

rove 
The lovely fitter brooks, the filvery Dane and Dove ; 
Cfear Dove, that n^ikes to Trent 5 the other to the weft. 
But, in that famous town, moO* happy of the reft, 
(From which thou tak'ft thy name^ fturChefter^ call'd of oW 
J.Carlegion ; whilft proud Rome her conquefts here did hoU, 
Of thofe her legions known the faithful ftation then, 
Softoudy held to tack by thofe near North- wales men j 
Yet by her own right name had rather called be, 
§. As her the Britons termed, the fortrefs upon Dee, 
Than vainly fhe would feem a miracle to ftand^ 
Th*imaginary work of fome huge giant*s hand : 
WhkJi if fuch ever were, tradition tells not who. 

But back a while, my mufe : to Weever let us go. 
Which (with himfelf compared) each Britifti flooddoth fcornj 
His fountain and his fall, both Chefter's rightly born ^ 
The country in his courfe, that clean through doth divide 
Cut in two equal fhares upon his either fide : 
And, what the famous Hood far more than that enriches. 
The bracky fountains are, thofe two renowned Wyches> 
The Nant-wych, and the North •, whofe either briny well, 
FcMT ftore and forts of falts, make Weever to excel. 
Befides their general ufe, not had by him in vwi, 
5. But in himfelf thereby doth holinefs retain 
Above his fellow floods : whofe healthful virtues taught. 
Hath of the fea-gods oft caused Weever to be fought 
For phyfick in their need : and Thetis oft hath fecn. 
When by their wanton fports her Ner'ides have been 
So fick, that Glaucus* felf hath failed in their cure : 
Yet Weevci-, by his falts, recovery durft affure. 
And Amphitriteoft this wizard river led 
Into her fccrct walks (the depths profound and dread) 

Of 



SONG THE ELEVENTH. Ut 

Of hint (fuppos'd fo wife) the hid events to know 
Of things that were to come, as things done long ago. 
In which he bad been prov'd mod exquifite to be -, 
And bare his fame io far^ that'ott 'twixt him and Dee 
Much ftrifc there hath arofe in their propherick (kill. 

But to conclude his praife, our Weever here doth will 
The mufe his fource to fing ; as how his courfe he (leers : 
Who from his nat'ral (pring, as from his neighboring meres 
Sufficiendy fupply'd, (hoots forth his filver bread, 
As though he meant to take dircftly tow*rd the eaft j 
Until at length it proves he loit'reth but to play, 
Till Aihbrook and the Lee overtake him on the way. 
Which to his journey's end him eameftly do haftc : 
Till having got to Wych, he taking there a tartc 
Of her moll (avory fait, is, by the facrcd touch, 
Forc'd fafter in his courfe, his motion quickened much 
To North-wych : and at lad, as he approachcth near 
Dane, Whelock draws, then Crock, from tiiat black omi- ■ 

nous mere 
Accounted one of thofe that England's wonders make 5 
Of neighbours. Black-mere nam'd, of drangers, BrcretonV 

lake ; 
tWholc property (cems far from reafon's way to dand : 
For, near before his death that's owner of the land, 
She lends up docks of trees, that on the top do float ; 
By which the world her fird did for a wonder note. 

His handmaid Howty next, to Weever holds her race ; 
When Pecvcr, with the help of Pickmere, makes apace 
To put-in with thole dreams his facred deps that tread. 
Into the mighty wade of Merfey him to lead. 
Where, when the rivers meet, with all their dately train. 
Proud Merfey is fo great in entring of the main. 
As he would make a (hew for empery to dand. 
And wred the three-forkt mace from out grim Neptune*s 

hand *, 
To Chefliire highly bound for that his watry dore. 
As to the grolTer * loughs on the Lancadrian ftiorc. 

From 

« Meres or fianding LakeSt 



S62 P O Lr-0 L B 10 N: 

From hence he gettethGoyt down from her Peakiflifpringi^ 
And Bollen, that along doth nimbler Birkin bring 
FromMaxfield's mighty wilds^of whofeftiagg'dSylvans flic 
Haih in the rocks been wQo*d, their paranaour to be i-. 
Who in the darkfome holes and caverns kept her long. 
And that proud foreft made a party to her wrong. 

, Yet could not all intreat the pretty brook to ftay ; 
Which to her ftream, fweet Bollen, creeps away. 
To whom, upon their road flic pleafantly reports 
The many mirthful jells, and wanton woodifti fports 
In Maxfield they have had j as of that forefl:'s fate : 
Until they come at length, where Merfey for more lUtc 
Aflfuming broader banks, himfelf fo proudly hears. 
That at his ftern approach, extended Wyrral fears. 
That (what betwixt his floods of Merfey, and the Dee) 
In very little time devoured he tnight be : 
Out of the foaming furge till Hilbre lifts his head. 
To let the fore-land (ee how nchly he had fped. 
Which Merfey chears fo much, that with a fmiling brow 
He fawns on both thofe floods ; their amorous arms that 

throw 
About his goodly neck, and bar'd their fwelling breafts : 
On ^hich whilfl: luU'd with cafe, his pleafcd cheek he rcfts. 
The Naiads, fitting near upon the aged rocks. 
Are bufled with their combs, to braid his verdant lock»> 
Whilft in their cryflial eyes he doth for Cupids look : 
But Delamere from them his fancy quickly took. 
Who Ihews her felf all drefl: in moft delick)us flowers ; 
And fitting like a queen, fees from her fliady bowers 
The wanton wood-nymphs mixt with her light-footed faiins^ 
To lead the rural routs about the goodly lawns. 
As over ** holt and heath, as thorough ^ frith and ^ fell | 

And oft at barly-break, and prifon bafe, to tell 
(In carrolds as they courfe) eagh other all the joys. 

The paflages, deceits, the fleights, the amorous toys 

The 

* A wood gtowii^g on a hill on j « High wood, 
knoki ■ f Low coppice. 



SOKG THB ELEVENTH. 863 

The fubtile fea-nymphs had, their Wynal's love to win* 
. But Wccver now again to warn them doth begin 
To leave thde trivial toys, which inly he did hate. 
That neither them befeem'd, nor ftood with his eftate 
(Being one that gave him felf indufbioufiy to know 
What monuments our kings ere£ted long ago : 
To which, the flood himfclf fo wholly did apply. 
As though upon his (kill, the reft fhould all rely) 
And bent himfelf to fhew^ that yet the Britons bold^ 
Whom the laborious mufe fo highly had extoU'd, 
.Thofe later Saxon kings excelPd not in their deeds. 
And therefore with their praife thus zealoudy proceeds ; 
' Whilft the celcftial powers th'arrived time attend, 

* When o'er this general ifle the Britons reign fhould end* 

* And for the fpoiling Pift here profp'roufly had wrought^ 
^ Into th'affiiAed land which ftrong invaQon brought, 

* And to that proud attempt, what yet his power might want; 

* The ill-dilpofed heavens, Brute's offfpringtofupplant, 

* Their angry plagues down-pour'd, infatiate in their waftc 

* (Needs muft they fall, whom heaven doth to deftru£Uoa 

*hafte.) 
^ And that wluch laftly came to confummate the reft, 

* Thde prouder Saxon powers (which liberally they preft 

* Againft th' invading Pift, of purpofe hired in) 

* From thofe which paid them wage, the ifland foon did wini 
^ And fboner overfpread, being mafters of the field \ 

* Thofe, firft for whom they fought, too impotent to widd 
■ A land within itfelf that had fo great a foe ; 

* And therefore thought it fit them wifely to beftow : 

* Which over Severn here they in the mount^uns fhut, 

^ And fome upon that point of Cornwall forth they put* 

* Yet forced were they there their ftarions to defend, 

* Nor couM our men permit the Britons to dcfcend 

* From Jove or Mars alone ( but brought their blood as hi^ 

* §. From Woden, by which name they fliled Mercury, 

* Nor were the race of Brute, which ruled here before, 

!; More zealous to the Gods they brought unto this ftiore, 

'Than 



«64 POL r^O L B 10 N: 

* Than Hengift's noble heirs; their idols that to raifr^ 

* §. Here put their German names upon our weekly days%. 

Thcfc noble Saxons were a nation hard and ftrong, 

* On fundry lands and feas in warfaxe nuzzled long ; 

* Affliftion throughly knew; and in proud fortune^s fpight, 
' Even in the jaws of death had darM her utmoft ^ight : 

. * Who under Hengift firft, and Horla, their brave chiefs, 

* From Germany * arrived, and with the ftrong relieft 

* Of th' Angles and the Jutes, them ready to fupply, 

* Which anciently had been of their affinity, 

' By Scythia firft fentout, which could not ^ve them meat, 

* Were forced to feek a foil wherein themfelvcs to feat. 

* Them at the laft on Danlk their lingring fortune drave, 

* Where Holft unto their troops fofficient harbour gave, 

* Thcfc with the Saxons went, and fonunately wan : 

c Whofe c^aptain, Hengift, firft a kingdom here began 
c In Kent -, where his great heirs, ere other princes rofe 
< Of Saxony's defcent, their ftilnefs to oppofe, 
« With fwelling Humberts fide their empire did confine. 
« And of the reft, nqt leaft renowned of their line, 

* §. Good Ethelbcrt of Kent, th* firft chriftned Englilh king, 

* To preach the faith of Chrift, was firft did hither bring ' 

* Wife Auguftinc the monk, from holy Gregory fent. 

* This moft religious king, with moft devout intent, 

* That mighty tane to Paul, in London did creft, 

* And privileges gave, this temple to protect. 

* His equal then in zeal, came Ercombert again, 

* From that firft chriftned king, the fecond in that reigi>. 

* The ghittony then us*d feverely to fupprefs, 

* And make men fit to prayer (much hinder'd by cxcefs) 
^ ^. Thai abfl^coce fiDm fkfh for forty days b^n, 

* Wluch by the nanic of Lent is known to every man. 

^ As mighty Hen^ here^ by force of arms had done, . 
/ § So Elfai coming in, loon fi:x3m the Britons won 
^ The coungMfr n^ghb'ring Kent ; wluch lying from the 

' m^in 
^ DiredUy to the Sbuth^ did properly obtab 

• See, conceming tluir coniog, to the ift, 4th, and 8ih fong*?, 



SONG THE ELEVENTH. Ug 

* The Southern Saxons name ; and not the laft thereby 

* Amongft the other reigns which made the Heptarchy : 

* So in the high dcfcent of that South-Saxon king, 

* We in the bead-roll here of our religious bring 

' Wife Ethclwald : abne who Chriftian not became, 
^ But willing that his foik ihouid all receive the name, 

* §. Saiot Wilfrid (fcnt from York) into this realm received 

* (Whom the Northumbrian folk had of his fee bercavM) 

* And on thefouth of Thames, a feat did him afford, 

* By whom that people firft reccivM the (aving word. 

* As Ukcwife from the loins of Erchinwin (who rab*d 

* Th* Eaft-Saxons kingdom firft) brave Scbert may be 

prais'd : 

* Which, as that king of Kent, had with fuch coft andftattf 
^ Built Paul's; hisgreatnefs fo (this king to imitate) 

* Began the goodly church of Weftminfter to rear: 

* The primer £ngti£b kings fo truly zealous were. 

* Then ** Sebba of his feed, that did them all furpaf^ 

* Who fitter for a fhrine than for a fcepter was, 

* (Above the power of flefh, his appetite to ftarve 

* That his defircd Chrift he ftriftly might obferve) 

^ Even in his height of life, in health, in body ftrong, 

* Pecfuaded with his queen, a lady fair and young, 

* To fcpaxace thcmfelves, and in a fole eftate, 

* After religious fort themfelves to dedicate. 

* Whofe nephew UfFa next,inflam'd with his high praile 
^ (Enriching that proud fane his grandfire firft did raife) 

^ Abandoned the world he found fo full of ftrife, 

* And after liv'd in Rome a ftrid religious life. 

* Nor thcfe our princes here, of that pure Saxon ftrain, 
^ Wiuch took unto themfelves each one their feveral reagn, 

* For their .fo godly deeds deferved greater fame, 

* TKan th' Angles their allies, that hither with them came 5 
^ Who fhariog-out thcmfelves a kingdom in the Eaft, 

' With th' Eaftern Angles name their circuit did invcft, 

* By 

• Scbtet a monk iu PauPs. 



tes POL r^o L B 10 hr.i 

* By Uffa in that part fo happily begun : 

* Whofcfucceffors the crown for martyrdom havt wort 

* From all before or fince that ever fuflFer*d here ; 

* §. Redwald's rel^ous Ions : who for their Saviour dcaf^ 
^ By cruel heathenifh hands unmercifully flain^ 

* Amongft us evermore remembered (hall remain, 

* And in the roll of l^nts muft have a fpecial room^ 

* Where Derwald to all times with Erpenwald ihall come. 

* When in that way they went,next Sebert them fuccceds, 
« Scarce feconded again for fandlimonious deeds : 

« Who for a private life when he his rule refign'd, 

* And to his cloyfter long had ftri£lly him ^onfinM^ 

* A corflet for his cowl Was glad again to tak6> 

* His country to defend (for his religion's fake) 

* Againft proud Pcnda, com'n with all his Pagaft pbwcf, 

* Thofe chriftned Angles then of purpofe to devour : 

^ And fuflPring with hisiolk, by Penda'^ heathenifh pride, 

* As he a faint had liv'd, a conftant martyr dy'd. 

* When, after it fell out, that OfFa had not long 

« Held that by cruel force, which Penda got by wrong, 

* §. Adopting for his heir young Edmond, brought Mm in, 

* Even at whajc time the Danes this ifland fought to win : 

* Who chriftned foon became, and as reli^ous grown 

* As thofe moft heathenifh were whofet him on his throne, 

* Did expiate in that place his predec^fibrs guilt, 

* Which fo much Chriftian blood fb cruelly had fpilt. 

* For, taken by the Danes, who did all tortures try, 
^His Siviour Jefus Chrift to force him to deny; 

^ Firft beating him with bats, but no advantage got, 

* His body fiill of fhafts then cruelly they fhot^^ 

* Xhe conftant martyred king, a faint thus juftlytcrownM. 

* To whom even in that place, that monument ^enown'4 

* Thofe after-ages built to his eternal fame. 

* What Englifh hath not heard ! Saint Edmond Bory's 

*name? 



*A. 



' In Suffolk* 



SONG THE ELEVENTH. %(y7 

^ As of thofe Angles hcre^ , ib from their loins again, 

* Whofc hands hcw*d out their way to the Weft-SrxLi'i 

* reign, 

* (FromKcnrick, or that claim from Ccrdick to dcfccn J) 

* A partncrftiip in fame great Ina might pretend 

' With any king llnce firft the Saxons came to fliore. 

* Of all thofe chriftned here, who highlicr did adore 

' The God-heady than that man? or more that did apply 

* His power t* advance the churfh in true fincerity ? 

* Great Glaftonbury then fo wondroufly decayed, 

* Whofe old foundation firft the ancient Britons laid^ 

* He glorioufly rebuilt, enriching it with plate, 

* And many a fumpcuous cope, to ufes conlecrate; 

* Ordaining godly laws for governing this land, 
^ Of all the Saxon kings the Solon he fluU ftand« 

* From ** Otta (born with him who did tlus ifle invade) 

* And had a conqueft firft of the Northumbrians made, 

* And tributary long of mightier Hcn^ft heldf 

' Till Ida (afi:er born) the Kentifli power expeird, 

* And abfolutely fat on the Dicrian feat^ 

* But afterward refign'd to Ethelfiid the Great : 

* An army into Wales who for invafion led, 

* At Chefter and in fight their forces vanquilhed ; 

* Into their utter fpoil, then publick way to make, 

^ The long-religjous houfe of goodly Bangor brake, 

* §. And flew a thoufand monks, as they devoutly prayed. 

* For which his criael fpoil upon the Chriftians made 

* (Though with the juft confent of Chriftian Saxons flain) 

* His blood, the heathenifh hands of Redwald did diftain. 

* That murderer's iflue next, this kingdom were exil*d : 

* And Edwyn took the rule j a prince as juft and mild 

* As th* other faithlefs were : nor could time ever bring 

* In all the feven-fold laule an abfoluter king ; 

* And more t' advance the faith, his utmoft power that lent i. 

* 5- Who re-ordained York a bifliop's government ; 

* And Ib much lovM the poor, that in the ways of trade, 

* Where fountains fitly were, he iron difties made, 

Lll ^And 

' Otta, brother to Hcngift. 



:] 



868 POL no L B 10 N: 

' And faftned them with chains the way-farcr to cafe, 

* And the poor pilgrim's thirft, there retting, to appcafc 

* As Mercia/mongft the reft, fought not the leaft to rail * 

* The faving Chriftian faith, nor merits humbler praife. 
' §. Nor thofe that from the ftem of Saxon Crfeda came 
^ (The Britons who expulft) were any whit in fame, 

* For piety and zeal, behind the others beft ; 

* Though heath*ni(h Penda long and proudly did infeft 

* The chriftned neighbouring kings^ and forc*d them ^ 

* to bow ; 

* Till Ofwy made to God a moft religious vow, 

* Of his abundant grace would he be pleas'd to grant, 

* That he this Panim prince in battle might fupplant, 

* A reclufe he would give his daughter and delight, 

* Sweet Alfled then in youth, and as themornisg, bright: 

* And having his requeft, he gave as he obtained ; 

* Though his unnatural hands fucceeding Wulpher ftain'd 

* In his own childrens blood, whom their dear mother had . 
' §.ConfirmM inChrift's belief, by that moft reverend Chad: 

* Yet to embrace the faith when after he began 

* (For the gnnaturaPft deed that e'er was done by man) 

* If poflible it were to expiate his guilt, 

> Here many a goodly houfe to holy ufes built : 

* And Ihe (to purge his crime on her dear children done) 

* A crown(^ queen, for him, became a veiled nun. 

* What,age a godlier prince thanEtheldred could bring? 

* Or than our Kinred here, a more religious king? 

* Both taking them the cowl, th' one here his fleih did tame, 

* The other went to Rome, and there a- monk became. 

* So, Ethelbald may well be fet the reft among : 

* Who, though moft vainly given when he was hot and 

•young; 

* Yet, by the wife reproof of godly bifhops, brought 

* From thofe unftay'd delights by which his youth was 

caught, 

* He all the former kings of Mercia did exceed, 

« §• And (through his rule) the church from taxes ftrong- 
* ly freed. 

• Then 



i 



SONG THE ELEVENTH. 569 

Then to the caftern fea, in that deep wat'ry fen 
' (Which feem*d a thing fo much impoffible to men) 
•^ He that great abbey built of Crowland,* as though he 

Would have no other's work Hke his foundation be. 

* As, Oflfa greater far than any him before : 
^ Whofc conquefts fcarcely were fuffic'd with all thclhorc; 
' But over into Wales adventuroufly he (hot 

* His Mercians fpacious • Mere, and Powfland to it got. 

* This king, even in that pliace, where with rude heaps of 
* ftones 

* §. The Britons had interred their proto-martyr's bones, 

* That goodly abby built to Alban ; as to fhow 

* How much the fons of Brute fhould to the Saxons owe. 

* But when by powerful heaven it was decreed at laft, 
^ * jfhat all thofe fevenfold rules fhould into one be caft 

* (Which quickly to a head by ^ Britrik*s death was brought) 

* Then Egbert, who in France had carefully been taught, 

* Returning home, was king of the Weft-Sexians made, 

* Whofe people, then moft rich and potent, him perfuade 
' (As once it was of old) to monarchize the land. 

* Who foUomog-dieir advice, firfl: with a warlike hand 

* The Cornifh' overcame ; and thence, with profperous fails, 
< O'er Severn fet his powers into the heart of Wales -, 

* And with the Mercians there, a bloody batde wag*d : 

* Wherein he won their rule ; and mth his wounds enrag'd, 

* Went on ^ainft refl. Which, ladiy when they law 

* How thofe had fped before, with moft fubjeftive awe 
^ Submit them to his fword : who prolperoudy alone 

* Reduced the leven-fold rule to his peculiar throne, 

* (§. Extirping other fliles) and gave it England's name 

* Of th* Angles, from whofc race his nobler fathers came. 

* When fcarcely Egbert here an entire rule began, 

* But infbntly the « Dane the ifland over-ran -, 
^ A people, that their own thofe Saxons paid ^ain. 

* For, as the Britons firft they trcacheroufly had (UJn, 
L 1 1 2 * This 

« OSaTs ditch. $ Ste Song ^f ifSU 

^Egberts jredccoflbr. ... 



870 T O L r-^O L B I O N: 

* This thiixl upon their necks a heavier burden laid, 

* Than they had upon thofe whom falfly they betray 'd. 

* And for each other's ftates, though oft they here did toil, 

* §. A people from their fir 11 bent naturally to fpoil, 

* That cruelty with them from their beginning brought j 

*- Yet when the Chriftian faith in them had throughly 

* wrought, 

* Of any in the world no ftory (hall us tell, 

* Which did the Saxon race in pious deeds excel : 

' That in thefe drowfy times (hould I in publick bring 

* Each great peculiar aft of every godly king, 

* The world might ftand amazM in this our age to fee 
' Thofe goodly fanes of theirs, wHch irreli^ous we 

* Let every day decay j and yet we only live 

* By the great freedoms then thofe kings to thefe did give. 

* Wife Segbert (worthy prile) preparing us the feat 
*§. Of femous Cambridge firfl, then with endowments 

* great 

^ The muies tp mountain, tho(e fifters thither brought. 
' By whofe example, neJit, religious Alfred taught, 

* Renowned Oxford built t' Apollo's learned brood ; 
« And on the hallowed bank of Ifis* goodly flood, 

^ Worthy the glorious arts^ did gorgeous bowers provider. 
^ §. He into feveral (hires the kingdom did divide. 
^ So, valiant Edgar, firft, molt happily deftroyM 

* The multitudes of wolves, that long the land annoyM. ' 
^ And our good Edward here, the conff ttor and king 

« (Unto whofe fumptuous fhrine got moriarchs crfTrings 
bring) 

* That cancred evil cur*d, bred *twixt the throat and jaws^ 

* When phyfic could not find the remedy nor caufc, 

* And much it did afflidt his fickly people here, 

* He of Almighty God obtain*d by eamefl pray'it, 

* This tumour by a king might cured be alone : 

^ §. Whkh he m hnr-loom left unto the Engliih throne. 
^ So, our faint Edward here, for England's general ufe, 

* §. Our country^s common laws did faithfiilty produce, 

^ Both frdtn th' old Britiih writ, and from the Saxon tongue. 
Of fbrefb, hiUs and floods, when now a mighty throng 

For 



SONG THE ELEVENTH. 871 

For audience cry'd aloud i becauie they late had heard. 
That fomc high Cambrian hills the Wrckin proudly dar'd 
With words that very much had ftirM his rancorous fpleen : 
Where, though clear Severn fet her princely fclf between 
ThcEnglifli md the Welfli, yet could not make them ccafe: 
Here, Wdavcr,- lis a flo^ affeAing goodly peace. 
His pkice of fpeech rdig/is ^ and to the Mufe refers 
Tiie hearing of the caufe, to Itickle all thefe ftirs, 

I L L*U S T R A T I O N S. 

NO W are you ntwly oat of Wales, rtturaed into England : and 
for co&vcniency of fituationy imitating therein the ordinary 
coarfe of chorography, the firft ihire eafhvard ^rom Denbigh and Flin^ 
laft fung by the miue) Cheihire is here fiirveyed* 



Ofeur great EngUJh bloods as careful * 



For, as generally in thefe northern parts of England* the Gentry is 
from ancient time left preferred in the continuance of name, blood, 
and place ; (b moft particulady in this Cheihire, and the adjoining Laii- 
caihire: which, out of their numerous fonilies, of the fame name^ 
with their chief hc^ifes and lordfliipip hath * been obferved. 

And^ of our counties^ place of Palatini dotb bold. 

We have in England three more of that title, Lancafter, Durham^ 
and Ely,: and,-Qntil later *> tune, Hexamflure in the weftem part of 
Northumberland, was fo reputed. William the Conqueror firft creat- 
ed one Hugh Wolfe a Norman, Count Palatine of Chdfer, and gave 
the earldom to hold, as fmlf us the iitig held ins cr^wn. By this fupre- 
macy of liberty he oiade to himfelf Barons, which might aflift him in 
council, andhad their courts and coni&xicc of pleas in fuch fort re- 
garding the earldom, as other barons the crown. Ego Comes Hufo ii 
met bmronts confirmeroimus ifta onmia^ is fubfcribed to a charter, wnero- 
liy he founded themonaftery of St, Werburg there. For the name of 
Palatme, know, that in ancient time under the emperors of declining 
Rome, the title of Count Palatine was i but fo, that it extended firft only 
to him d which had care of the houfidd and imperial revenue i which is 
now (ib faith « Wefembech ; I affiftn it not) as the Marfhal in other 
courts : but was alio communicated bv that honorary attribute of Co- 
miti'va dipiitas, to many others, which had any thing proportionate, 
^ace or deiert, as the code teacheth us. In later tiaes both in Get- 

L 1 1 3 maBjf 

a Csmd. M Cmum. V Br^nt^ %fik» devit. Qoi^aniin. /. Ut Cod. Hh jz» 

h Stst, 14. EliM^c. 15. I c XnFMrM* C. I.r//. 34. 

^ Cm dtOffc, Cm. Sat, Paku wid, Eu^ \ 



872 



P L r^O L B 10 N: 



many (as you fee in the Palferave of Rhine) In France, [whkh the carf- 
dont of Champagne (hews long time fincc in the crowns yet keeping 
H diftinft Paladne government, at Peter Pithou ^ hath at latge pblifh- 
•d) and in this kingdom fuch were hereditarily honoured with it, as 
being near the prince in the court (which they, as we, called the Pa- 
lace) had by their ftate-carriage, gained full opinion of their worth, 
and ability in government, by delegate power of territories to them 
committed, and here after titled Qmntes ie Palais^ as our law-amab ^ 
call them. If you defire more particulars of the power and great fiate 
of this Palatine earidom, I had rather (for a fpecial reafon) fend yvn 
to the marriage of Henry Hid. and (^Eleanor in jbfatthew Paris; where 
John Scot, then earl ot Chefter bare, before the king, St. Edward^s 
fword, called Cutttftl. which the prince at coronation of Henry IV. 
is recorded to have done as s Duke of lancafler ; and wlih you to ex- 
amine the paflages there, with what Bradon " hath of Earls, and' cor 
year < books of Uie High ConiUble of Enj^and, than here oflTer it my- 
ielf. To add the royalties of the earldom, as courts, officers, fiwichifes, 
forms of proceeding, even as at Weihninfter, or the diminution of its 
large liberties by the ftatuteof[J^Refumption, were to trouble you with 
a harlh digreffion. 

Our Leopards they [0 long and bravely did advance. 

He well calls th^ coat of England, Leopards. Neither can you juR- 
ly objc£l the common blazon of it, by name of Lions, or that alTertion 
of Polydore's ignorance, telling us, that the Conqueror bare three fleurs 
it lis^ and thne Lunsy as quartered for one coat, which hath been, and 
is as all men know, at this prefent borne in ouf fovereign*s arms for 
France and England ; and fo, that the quartering of the Fleurs was not 
at aU until Edward III. to publiih his tide, and gain the Flemiih forces 
(ai you have it in FroiiTart) who bare the French ' arm8,being then Axttr9 , 
fmtf with Fleurs dt Us ^ and were afterwards contrafted to three in time 
of Henry V. by Charles VI. becaufe he would bear different from 
die Eng^ king, who notwithftanding prefently feconded the change, 
to this hour continuing : nor could that Italian have fallen into any 
em>r more palpiUe, and in a profeft antiquary fo ridiculous. But to 
mve them anciendy Leopards, » Mifit ergo (faith Matthenu Paris) 
jhper/rter (that is, Fredert:i II.) regi Jnghrum tres Leofardos in fignum 
Tigalis elyfeiy in quo tres Lefardi trafijeusttes figurantstr. In a MS, 
oTj. Gpwer's, Confejpo Amantis^ which the printed books have not. 



Adlaudem Chriftii quern tm Virgo feperiftiy 

Sit laus RICHARD I, ^uemfieptra colusit Leopardi. 



And 



fLi'ift T. Ai Ctmtn de Cbampagnt. ^ 
Mrie, Falatinorum nofircmm nomine SMrifm 
kur, Poiicrtu, 6. caf. ]6, & Epifl. 263. 

g Arch'v, in Tnr. L»nd, jam veto & tjfis 
€rr.mif. ^fudCrom^ JurifSB* Cvr, 

J^ Dt acj, rerx dm, QAf% i6« §. 3. 



1 6 Btn. S, Kettway, & v, Bnsk, tit , 

Prereg. U* 

\L%THen.%.eap, J4. 
1 y, Stst. 14, £d. 3, 



SONG THE ELEVENTH. 8^3 

And Edwaid * IV. granted to Lovis of Bruges earl of Wificliefter» 

[ tliat he fhould bear d'Axtare^ a dix MafeUs etiarme d^un canton de noftri . 

; t^opn armes d^nglttirre, cefi ajfavoir, di Goules ung Leopard pajpmt 

dOr^ arm dAzure^ as the patent fpeaks : And likcwifc • Henry VI. 

' to King^s College in Cambridge, gave a coat armour, three Rofes, and 

Sumnu JcmH fartitum prtncipak de Azoreo cum Francerum fore deque ru'- 

. heo cumpeditante Leopardo^ and calls them Parcella Armorum^ fu^e nobis 

in regmj AngU^ H Franciajure dehentur regio. I know it is otherwife 

' now received, bnt withall, that princes being fupreme judges of honour 

( and nobility, may arbitrarily change their arms in name and nature ; as. 

was done p upon return out of the holy war in Godfrey of fiologneV 

time ; and it feems it hath been taken indifferently, whether you call 

them the one or the other, both for iimilitude of delineaments and 

oompofture (as in the bearing of Normandy, the County of Zutphen» . 

and fuch more) being blazoned in Hierom de Bara, and other French 

heralds, Lion-Leopards : and for that even under this Henry VL a 

great ^ ffaident in heraldry, and a writer of that kind, makes the acccf- 

£on of the lion of Guienne, to the coat of Normandy (which was by 

Henry II. his marriage with queen Eleanor divorced from Lewis of 

France) to be the iirft three h'ons, born by the Englifh kings. 

Caerlegion wbilft frond Rome ber conquejfs here did bold. 

Yoa have largely ja that our moft learned antiquary, the canfe of 
this name from the tents of Roman legions, there, about Vefpafian^s 
time. I will only note, that Leland ' hath long iince found fault with 
William of ' Malmelbury for affirming it fo call^, fuod Hi Emeriti 
legionnm Juliemamm refedire ; whereas it is plain, that Julius Ccfar 
never came near this territory. Perhaos^ by Julius, he ipeant Agri- 
cola (then lieutenant here} fo named« and then is the imputation laid on 
that beft of the monks, unjuft : to help it with reading Militarinm for 
JuUanarum^ as the printed book pretends, I ^nd not fufficiently war* 
rantablc, in refjped that my MS. ytxy ancient, as near Malmelbury's 
time as (it feemi) may be, and heretolbre belonging to the' priory of 
6. Aug^fiines in Cantexbory, evidently perfwades the contrary. 



-tbefortrefs upon Bee. 



At this day in Briiifi (he is ciUM t CofC %^tm OC bOQC VS^lf, i. e. 
the City ^ Legions tfon the river Dee, &>me vulgar antiquaries havtt 
referred the name of Leon to a giant, builder of it : I, nor they, know 
not who, or when he liv*d. But indeecl ridiculonfly they took « %tm 
9AI|)P for king Leon th« great ; to whom the author alludes piefently. 

But in bimfelf thereby doth Holinefs retain. 

LII4 He 

11 Pat, 12. Eif, \.part, i.memk. \%^ I r In Dett adCfg, Cotit, 

o Pm\ -ty Hin,€» nirim. 46. I t De Pmtifcih, h'K 4« . 

p Pofir^ Hettt, de vtt, ilfViV, a« I t ffimf, Ltuid m irivherie, 

q NicMMpttu. de Hmuitetri^l, ;• | a A peat Irfios, ^ 



874 



POL r-0 L B 10 ^: 



^ He compares it with Dce'i title prefcntly, which hath its reafon 

fiven bc^ic to the feveoth fonj. Wcvcr, by reaion of th? faltpiis at 
torthwich, Nantwich, ani Middlewich, (all pn his banb} hath this 
attribute, and that of the fea-gods fiiit to him, and kind entertain- 
naent for his fkill in phyfick, and prophecy; judifiable in general, u 
wdl as to makeTryphoA the7fa''geony which our excellent Spenfer hath 
done i and xn particular caule, upon the moft refpedUd and divinely 
bonov|'e4 name of fait i of which, if you obferve it ufcd in all (acrifioet 
hy e^prefs commandment of the » true God, £3^3 11*70 * in holy 




inedicinable epithets becaofe of hi^ (altnefs, you (hall fee apparqi( 
imd i(pc tefUmony. 

From IVoden^ hy which name theyjliled Merfury. 

Of thp Britons defcent from Jove, if you remember but u^neas faa 
toAnchifes, and Venn*, with her derivation V' blood from juptter*8 
parents, fufl^cient declaration will offer it felf. For this of Woden, fee 
Kmiewhat to the third fon^. To what you read there, I here more 
£tly add this : Woden, in Saxon genealogies, is afcended to, as the 
chief ancefior of their moft royal progenies; fo you may fee in Nen- 
nii^s, Bede, Efhelwcrd, Florence of Worceller, an Awmymui de Regitli 
Profppia, Kantingdoij, and Hoveden ; yet in fuch fort, that in fome of 
them they go beyond him, through t^riehwald, Frcalaf, Frithulf, fin, 
Godu!pb, Gcta» and ot}iers, to Seth ; but with fo much uncertainty, 
that I imagine many of their defcents werejullas true as the Theogony 
in Hit^odf ApoUodorus, or that of Frefler Jqhn's, fometimes deriving 
^ himrdryery near from the loins of Salomon. Of this Wodcr, beiidd 
my authors nam*d, fpccial mention is found in Paul' Warnfrc4 who 
makes Frea his wife (others call her Ff icco, and by htx underAand Ve- 
nqs) and Adam ^ of Dreme, which defcribe him as Mars ; bitt in 
Geffrey of Monmouth j and Fiorilcgus, in Henglft*s own perfon, he is 
afiirmM the fame with Mercury, who by Tacitus report was their chief 
dieity ; and that alfi) is warranted in the denomination of our Woden/daf 
(according to the dntch S^Otonf^dSB) ^^ ^^^ fourth day of the week, 
titled by the anicjent planetary account with name of Mercury. )f that 
alliAon in the iUuH rations of the third fong to Merc^ allow it him not^. 
theii uke the other firft taught me by 1 Lipiius, fetching Wodtin from 
SpfOtl or IBin/ which is to Gain, and fo make his name Wwdan^ expref- 
ftgln that feofe the ielf name"£j3/Len< Kfp/vQ- ufcd by the Greeks. 
Bat without (hii inquiry yon underhand the authof . 

. Hcrg 

• Sttk of the covenant. 

^ Cal, Rbfdigift mnt. Ia8, is. r. i 






e CW. jitt. Le3, i r. cap. n, 

h DammH, a G'iti de morii. JEtbi9pmm, 

k Bin. EccUJi^. iik. 4. €^^ 91. 
1 MTaeb, Gtrm, n'.t, 32. 
a Mmmy prcfidut of CtiMm 



SONG THE ELEVENTH. 87^; 

Herefut the German nsmes upon ibe weekly di^s. 

from their Smptwi tor the fun, M^nam for the moon* Tui/ewt or fV/b 
; (of whom fee to the fourth fong) for Marj^ fVpdiu for Mereury^ n$r 
for Jupiter^ Fr»% Frit^ or Frigo for Ftnus, S^etern for S^Ourn^ xhtf 
i)iled ttieirday«Suii9an-bae7, M<mtii»»;> cuifconi-bee;;, i>ob«nf .»«{, pofip« 
^^> 'Fm;-^«S> 9r«efinr-^cs > thcQce came our names now vfed ^«0- 
iof^ Mwiday^ ^uefdttf^ Wodtnfiwf^ ThurjUaf^ Friday^ Saturday; which 
, ftenetaiy accompt was very ancient among the ^ ^^prians (having 
j UMfh Hebrew difeipUne) but fo fnperftitious, that, being great allrono^ 
( mexaand very dbfervant of myfteries produced out of number and quan^ 
tity» th^ began on the jewim (abbath and impofed the name of Satura. 
on die next fttn» then themoooy as we now reckon, omittirig two pla* 
nets in every nomination, as you eaiily conceive it. One might feck« 
yet mifs the reafons ot that form ; but nothing gives fatisfadtion equal 
to cbftt, of alUpenetrating JofephScaliger^ P whofe intended reafonfor 
ft b thus. In a cirde defcribe an hepugonal and equilateral figure ; 
kom whofo every fide ihali fall equilateral triangles, and their angles 
le^ediyely on the comers of the infcrxbed figure, which are noc^ with 
ihe phinetB after their not interrupted 
order. At the right fide- of any of the 
bafes begin your account^ from that to 
the oppofidy noted planet, thence to 
his oppoike, and fo fliall you find a 
pondnned courfe in that order (grounded O j 
peclMps among the ancients upon myfte- 
ries of nomber, and interchanged go- 
vernment l^ tlMofe fnperiori>odies over 
this habitable orb) which fome have 
f»ealcd at, in inquiry of pn^rtions, 
in;ifick diiUnces, and referred it to pla- 
netary hours: whereas they (the very 
naioe ci hour for a twcnur fourth part of 
gday, being onufiial till ^bout theP/- 
hf^mjif^iu war) had their original of 

hter time, than this hebdomadal account, whence the hourly from th0 
trfiDming of every day had his breeding, and not the other from this, as 
preicnding and vulgar aflrologers recejive in fuppofition. Atlaft, by 
CmlUntine the great, and pope Silvefler, the name of Sun-doj^, was 
turnM into the s Lordsdo}^ ; as it is filled Dominims fff KvCMUti i or 
Satmrday, into the SaUatbi and the reft not long afterward named ae- 
poniing to their numeral order as the firft, fecond, or third Feria (that 
iS| Holiday, thereby keeping the remembrance of Eafter-week, the be* 
ginning of the ecdefiaftick year, which was kept every day holy} for 
Saadtf^ Mmdaj^ 7ut/day. You may note here that Caefar ' was deceived 
fn telling us, the Germans worihipt no other gods but quos cernunU 

• mm. Bip. Rm. Xf . f q Niapbcr. CaW/t. Ecekf. Hifi. f . c^f. 

fDi'Mmikkt, Tmp. i. EMim dt Mc I /ur. P<^y^' Invnt. Rer, 6- caf. 5, 
fir PrOigm. <y m* 7. DKttm "»^^ ^-1 r ^tmiM*'* <^''^'^« ^* 




876 



POL r-0 L B 10 N: 



^ quorum qpihus apertl jwtfmaur. Solem, Valcanum & Lunam, reliquot 
nefamd quidem aea^Jft ; for you fee more than thofe thus honoured by 
them« as ajfo they had < their eoceji Monath for April, dedicated to 
fome adored power of that name: bat b^ame him not ; for the difcovery 
of the northern parts was but in weakefl infancy, when he delivered it. 

Good Eihelbert cf Kent fir fi cbriftned Englifh king. 

About the year fixliundred Chriftianity was received among the Saxons 2 
this Etheibert (being firft induced to tafie that happineis by fierta his 
queen, a chriftian, and daughter to Hilperic (or Lothar the II.) king of 
France) was afterward baptized by Augofline a monk, fent hither, with 
other workmen, for fuchaharvelt, by Pope Gregory the iir(>, zealooily 
being mov*d to converiion of the £nglifh nation : fo that after the fir& 
coming of Hengift,they had lived here one hundred and fifty yean by the 
<)ommoa account without tindbire of true religion : nor did tiie Britons, 
who had long before (as you fee to the eighth fbng) received it, at all im- 
part it by inltrudion, which Giidas imputes to them for merit of divine 
revenge. White ** of Bafingftoke ( I muil cite his name, you would 
laugh at TM, \i I affirmed it) reters to Kenfs Paganifm, and Brit^ 
Chriftianity before this converfion, the original of our vulgar by-wor4 
Nor in Chrijlendom^ Jfor in Kent^ 

ft hat abftinence offlejh for forty days began. 

Began it here, fo underfland him i for plainly that Fafting time was 
long before in other churches, as appears in the decreeing ' epiftle of 
Pope Telefphorus, conftituting that the clergy ihould M from ^mmm^ 
fuagifima (ttiat is. Shrove funday) to Eafter, whereas the laity, and thqr 
both were before bound but to fix weeks, accounted, as qow, Bt>m the firll 
Sunday in Lent \ fo that even from the ^ firft of chriilil^nity, for remem« 
brance of cur Saviour, it feems, it hath been obferved, although I know 
it hath been refer*d to Telefphorus, as fir(l author. He died in the 
year 140. of Chrift. But if you compare this of him with * that of 
Pope Melchiades (fome 170. years after) taking away the fail upon a 
Sunday and Thurfday, you will lofe therein forty days, and the com- 
mon name of Quadragijime ; but again find it thus. S. * Gregpj^' (after 
both thefe) makes Lent to be fo kept, that yet no failing be upon San- 
days ; becaufe (among other reafons) he would have it as the tenth of 
time confecratcd to God in prayer and abflinence (and the caronifb, h 
how juflly X argue not, put it m their diviflon of perfonal tithes.) Theiu 
in this form, after the exception, calculates out his number. From the 
firil Sunday in Lent to Ealter, are {\% weeks, that is, forty two days, 
whence fix Sundays fubtradted, remain thurty fix* which (fradiions avoided) 

is 



t Bed, M, di *remperilut^ 

n //(/?. -J* not, 14. 

jr Dijl, 4.'r. ^,/iatuimus & i^id Z). ^m* 

y Ua itiam Bironius,ftd & vidt Eujekii 



Cbnnic, in Sijeto i. 

s Dijfi. 4. de Ceifttcrat. c»p, t^,yeptniam, 
. a Jrt Homil. dift. e. de Cottjetrat, caf, 16. 

b R<huff, tr^ff. d€ decim fu^* 3. tmm^ 



{ 



SONG THE ELEVENTH. 877 

is the quotient of 36^< being the number of the common year, divided 
by ten. ^ But feeing that holy number (as he calls it] of ^rty, which 
oar Saviour honoum with his lifting, is by this reckoning excluded, 
he adds, to the firft week, the four iaft days of the ^nquagefima^ 
that is* Afifwidiuklajf, Tburfdajf, Friday^ and Saturday ; fo keeping both 
his conceit of tithing, and alio obfervarion of that number, which we 
remember only (not able to imitate) in our aiTayM abftinence. For 
woof of this in £rconbert, both Bede and Mulmefbury, befide their 
later followersy are witneiTes. Their Saxon name near ours wa« « 
Lcnjcr*n.f atpten, at the other four falls ymhjitn jiatrtcq. 

So Etta coming in^ foon from the Britons "x^on. 

Near forty yean after the Saxons firft arrival, JElh (of the &mt 

nation) with his fons Pleudng, or Pleting, Cimen and CiiTa, landed at 

Cimenfliore in the now SufTex (it is fuppofed d to be near th^ Witterings 

hf Chichefter) and having his forces increaft by fupply, after much 

Mood ihed betwixt him and the Britonr, and long £ege of the city 

Asdredceafter, now Newenden in Kent (as learned Camden conjectures) 

pc ibpfcme doniink)ii of thoft fonthern part?, with title of king of 

Snflex, whofe fon- and fucoeflbr Ciila*s nacne, is yet there left in • 

Cirra-cearteji for Chicheiier, and in a hill incircled with a deep tre nch 

fir military defence, calHd Cifs-bury, by Offington. The author fitly 

begins with him after the Kentifh ; for he was the firit made ilit number 

of the Saxon kings plural, by planting and here reigning over the South- 

Sazooe ; and as one was always in the heptarchy, which had title of 

frit, or chief King of the Angles and Saxons, fo this i£lla not only 

1^ was honoured with ^ it, but alio the prerogative by priority of time, ia 

I Irit enjoying it, before all other princes of his nation : but his dominion 

f aftenii^ wat for the moft part flill under the Kentifh and Well-Saxoa 



Saint Wilfrid fent from Tork intp bis realm received. 

TThis Wilfrid archbiOiop of York, expellM that fee by Egfrid king of 
Northnmberland, waa kindly received by Edilwalch (otherwit'e Ethei- 
walch, being before chriftened through religious perfwafion of his god- 
father Wnlpher kingofMerdand) and^ converted the South* Saxons to 
t^gOfpel. He ^dowM this Wilfrid with Selfev a cheroneft in Suifex, 
and was fo founder of a biflioprick, afterward trandatcd, under the 
Korman conqueror, to Cichcfler, whofe cathedral church in publick mo- 
aaments honouts the name of Cedwalla (of whom fee to the ninth fong) 
khig of Weft-Sex for her Mt creator: but the reafon of that was rather 
hMufe Cedwalla after death of Edilwalch (whom he (lew) fo honoured 
Wilfrid, « ut Magijfrum faT Domtnum omnis Pronfinei^r eum fr^fecit, nihil 
i M!a Promncia fin iUius ^JJif^Ju faciendum arhitratus ; whereupon it 

was, 

^iMsmti^.ckarU EccUJ. Sekfinf. «^. i Etbtl'uterd. hfi. 3. e.%, Bei.btjt, z. 
tgm4n, f^P'E' 

y ■ I $0 ill? CJird in Ftn-mt. fVig^m. p. I g HUItmJh. ir^tfl. ?wufk. -j. 



878 



J» O L r-0 L B 10 N: 



wai, as It feemt, thought fit (according to courfe of yielding with the 
{way of fortune) to forget £dilwalch» and acknowledge Cedwalla (then 
a pagan) for firit patron of that epiicopal dignity. It Is reported, that 
three years before this general receipt there of Chriil*s profeflion^i con- 
tinned without rain ; in Co much that famine, and her companion pefti- 
lence, (o vexed the province, that in multitudes of forty or fifty at a 
time, they ufed hand in hand, to end their mi&ries in the fwaUowing 
waves of their neighbouring ocean : but, that all ceafed upon Wilfirid*i 
preaching ; who taught them alfo firft (if Henry of Hutttin|;don*s teaching 
deceive me not) to catch all manner of fiih, being before ikiUed only in 
taking of eels. I know, ^ fome make Eadberc abbot of the monaftery 
in Selfey, under king Ine, iirft biftiop there, adding, that before his 
time the province was fubjeA to Wincheiler s but that rightly nnder- 
ftood difcords not ; that is, if you refer it to inftauration of what was 
difcOBtinued by Wilfrid^s return to his archbiihoprick. 

Adopting for his heir young Edmund— ^^ 



Penda king of Mercland had fl.iin Sigebert (or Sebert) and Abm, {dngi 
of £ail-angle% and fo in dominion might be faid to have peflfei tni 
kingdom ; but Anna had divers fucceiTors of his Uood, of whom Bthd* 
berth was traiteroufly flain in a plot difiembled by 0& king of Mere- 
land, and this part of the heptarchy confounded in the Mercian crowiift 
Then did OfTa adopt this St. Edmund a Saxon, into name of fuceefior in 
that kingdom : which he had not long enjoyed, bnt that through hirba^ 
rous cruelty, chiefly of one Hinguar a Dane (Polydore will needs have 
his name Agncr] he was with miferable torture martyred, upOR the 
nineteenth of November, 87c*, whither his canonization diiedeth «• 
for holy memory of him. 

And flew a tboufand monks y as they devoutly frafd. 

You may add two hundred to the author*! number. This EtheUid 
or Ediifrid king of Northumberland, afpiring to increafe his territorio, 
mads war againft the bordering Britons. But as he was in the fields by 
Chefter, near the onfet, he taw, with wonder, a multitude of monks 
afTembled, in a place by, fomewhat (ecore ; demanded the caufe» and 
was foon informed that they were there ready to aflift his enemies fwords 
with their devout or izons, and had one callM Brocmail, profeflin^ their 
defence from the Englxih forces. The king no (boner heard this^ but 
Ergo (filth he being a heathen) Ji adverfus nos^ ad Demnumfintm cZi« 
maxtf profeSio bf ifjt quamvis arma nott ftrant^ contra tm fuguatiif am 
iuhtrjii nai imprecationibus pirftquuuiur i prcfently commands their ipoii : , 
which fo was performM by his foUiers, that 1 zoo were in their 
devotions put to the fword. A ftrangie flaughter of religk>us perfons, 
at one time and place ; bat not fo (b-ange Ks their whole number in this 
one monaftery, which wa^ 21003 not fuch idle lubberly fots as 
later times peflerM the world withal, truly pifiurM in that ^ defcriptioa 
of ^their charader] (loth. 

hMtttb^WtflmmfitrieKfu || k RoS.jte LansUnd,/ivgyG*naes Mai' 



SONG THE ELEVENTH. 879 
VbiPi tin 0tmc ttnt 



31 mnlt at rain t^ ^egge, o) elfe 3 mnft neew nap, 
3 nm not (trnio ne rtonpc, ne Initbont mt ftoU fcnerle, 
9ttt 3 b^ooslit a beo (but if m? taienbe it mate) 
AbonlB ne nnsinji 00 me rife, o) 3 toere ripe to hint. 

St besan Bencdicite imtb a belfce, ano 1fi» b;ett ItnofceD 
no raflUei^ ant roreo, anb rat at tbe laft i 
3f 3 ttfoOb Dse bi; tbta uie, me Icfte nit to lofee. 
3f can not perfltlc mc Pater noft, aa ttae }^iitft it finsetf^t 

iBltf 3 can rtmea of Robin Hod, ano Randal of Chefter, 

IBnt of onr ILo^ o) onr Haoi; 3 Ui^ne notbing at au 
3 aiii occapieb ebeti; oa?, bole bai; ano otber, 
9itb ible taleaat toe ale, ano otfier wbile fn Cbnrcfic^. 
tf oD*a paine ano bid pafOon ftiU felbe tbinfce 3 tbereom 
g biOteb neber febtemen, ne fettreo fdlte in ptttes, 
1 lialK leber bere an !^rIotrie, o» a fomera same, 
a>i kaSnga to langb at anb btlf e me neigbbourot 

f Sb^n all tbat eber Mark maOOi Math, John ano Lucas. 

I jittb tiigiUs anb rafting baiea, all tbefe let 3 paffe, 
. jlni lie in beb in llent, anb mi lemman in mine atmea. 
I ~ 3 babe ben Pneft ano Parfon palSng tbertie tmnter, 
#et can 3 netbec fnA fe ne fing» ne fiMinta libea reao> 
SM 3nn linb in afttlb, 0? in a fticlong an ^z 

Settee tben in Beatus Vir» 09 in Beati Omnes. 

Not fuch were thoie Bangor monks : bat they Omms di lahore mcmuMm 
fiiMram knwre filtkmi, Obferve here the difirence betwixt the more 
aacicnt times and our corrupted neighbour ages, which have been fo 
hnnled, and not majMy^ with <liflemhled beftial fenfualities of mo- 
lailiitk frafeffiooy that in the univerfkl vifitation under Henry VIII. 
99€ty tamuA a y aibrdcd flumeful difcovery of fodomites and inconti- 
Btnt ftjtn I in Canterbury ftvary of Benedi^Uns, nine Sodomites ; m 
Bbttd abbey, iAten j and, in many other, like proportion ; htrger rec- 
' ig will not latitfy if you account their wenches, which married and 
t (fiir they aftAed that variety) fupp!y*d Che wants of their coon- 
Ifed feUtarineis : fo that hereupoi^ after an account of DC. convents 
of iHOttkB and fryers, with mendicants, in this kingdom, when time 
tBdarcd thte« Jtkifftrof^ duth >*one, nunntenant au LeSiiur cal' 
nAr tmHUinfw umnns divatnt eftte d§ fiis deputains en An^leterriy ji 
MfmUmnafiU de M^ims & dt Putaimf. Thcfe were they who admir*d 
all lor Hebrew or Greek which they underllood not, and had at 
Icaft fas many of our now profeffing formalifls) Latine enough to make 
fiich a fpcecb as Rablais hath to Gargantaa for Paris bells, and call for 
their yitntm Cds ; which, in one of them perfonated, receive thus frjtn 
t noble* i^oet. 

n H* ^tepbffitn tF.ntrodkft, mm traitt 4r U c^nformiU^ ^c, r« :hif^ %%s 



88o POLT-OLBIOlf: 

Fac extra : rihil hoc : extra tohtmfit 6f9rtitp 
^obyie, n.jufte atque p-efotarejubet Lex» 
f^num Ir/fficat cor ifomiftis^ practfu^ Cos. 
Gratia Jit Domino^ Vhtum Cos, infuii, bah^mus* 

How my reader tafies this, I know not ; therefore I wiUiiigty qait him i 
and add onivr, chat William of Malmefbury grofsl/ errs in affirmbg 
that this Bangor p is turnM into a bUhoprick ; but pardon him, for he 
lived in his doiller, and perhaps was deceived by eqaivdcation of name, 
there being in Caernarvon a biihoprick of the fame title to this day» 
which fome body later ^ hath on the other fide ill taken ht this. 

Tfl)o re-ordained Tori ahijhofs government. 

For in the Britiih times it had a metropolitick fee (as is noted to the 
ainth fong) and now by Edwine (converted to chrifUan difeipltneioth 
through means of his wife Ethelburg, daughter to Ethelbert king of 
Kent» and religious perfvvaiion of Gcd^ minifters) was reftored to the 
iotrntt dignity, and Paulinu.% in it, honoured with nameof archbifhop^ 
being afterwards baniiht that province, and made bifhop of Rodieftcr» 
which fome have ignorantly made him before. 

Nor tbofe that in tbeftem of Saxon Crida eame. 

Moll of our chronologers begin the Mercian race royal with Penda; 
but Henry of Huntingdon (not without his proofs and followen) maka 

Crida (Grandfother to Penda) firft in that kingdom. 

Confirmed in drift* s belief hy that mofi reverend Chad. . 

This Wttlpher, fon to Penda, reftored to his &ther*s kingdom^ is 're- 
. ported with his own hands to have (lain his two fons Wulphald and 
Rufin, for that they privily withdrew themfelves to that fimKHis St. Chad, 
or Cedda bifhop of Lichfield, for inftruftion in the chriftian faith ; and 
all this is fupposM to be done where the now Stone in Staffordfhirc is 
feated. Hereupon the author relies. But, the credit of it is mote thaa 
fufpicioos, not only for that in daffick authority I find hit iflue only t» 
be Kenred, and St. Werburge (by Ermengild daughter to Broonbert of 
Kent) but withal that he was both chriiiian» and a great beneiiiAor to 
the church. For it appears by confent of all, that Peada, Weda, or 
t'enda (all thefe names he had) eldeil fon of the firll Penda, firft received 
in Middle Engle (part of Merdand) the faith, and was baptized by Fin- 
nan bifhop ot * Lindisfarne : after whole violent death, in fpight of 

Ofwy 

p In bifl. ^ lib. 4. dt Pontt/fcihJti Dt» I t It it that now ciUM H9fy tflaini, \!f 
cfjirjnfibus, tcafttUe utmoft {iartt of I/»tbumktriaad, 

^ Aut lib^ Acadm, per Eurcp, etfi'r. 1^90. whence the bifliop ick about accccxcr.wii 

r Robert, de Sivspbom, in Htfi. tetrobur* ! tranflated to Durbjin, 
lenf. ap, Ctmd. in Stafford^ & Nortbsmp^ I 
Un, & J. Stott^eum, I 



SONG THE ELEVENTH. 88f 

Ofwy lung of Northamberland, Immin, EbbA» and Edberth, gendemtn 
of power mMercland, falutcd Wulpher (Brother to Peada) king of all 
that province, who was then, at it feems, (by Florence of Worcefter, 
and Bede*s reporting of four bifbops in (iicceffion prefierr*d By him) of 
chriftian name i but howfoerer he was at that time, it is certain that in 
the iecond or third Year of his reign, he was godfather to king Edil- 
walch of Soflex, and bellowed on him as a gift, in token of that fpiri- 
tnal adopekm, the Ifle of Wight with another territory in Weft Saxony, 
and gave idfo to St. Cedda (made, by confent of him and king Ofwy» 
bifliop frf* Und^s&me) fifty Hides of land (a ^iV/, < « //f «X^ lawd, or a 
Gtrt-/, I hoU dearly equivalent) towards foundatXMi of a monaftery. 
All this compared, and his life, in our monks, obferved^ hardly endures 
his note of perfecution ; which in refped of his fiMmderfhip of Peter- 
bcnroi^h abbey, Robert ofSwajpham a monk there reporting it, or thofe 
from whom he had it» might better in filence have buried it, or rather 
not fo ansratefidly feigned it. I only find one thing notably ill of him ; 
that he, £fft.of the Bnglifh kmgs, l^ fymony made a biihop, which was 
WflieofLoiidon^ as li£jmefbury is author. 

^nd (through his rule) the church from taxes Jirongly freed. 

Ethelbald king of Merdand, founder of Crowland abbey in Lincoln* 
fhire, a mat, martial, and religious prince, in a fynod held (Cuthbert 
then arau>i(bop of Canterbury) enlarged ecclefiaftick liberty in this 
form : DcnaHmum mem/if mi nn'utnti conadOf nt 9mnia Monafterim bf 
Ecchjut ngni wui a fublids Fe3igaHbms^ Ofenhui, tSf Oneriius ab/H- 
ffmrimr, mrfi LifiruBiomlms Arcium vil Pentium^ qu4t mmpum uUifB/Tunt 
rilMxmri ; i. #. He difchaiged all monafteries and churches of all Kind 
of taxes, works, and impo&, excepting fuch as were for building of 
forts and bridges ; being (as it feems the law was then) not releaf^le. 
For, befides the authority of this (latute of Ethelbald, it appears fre- 
quent in charters of the Saxon times, that, upon endowment and dona<- 
ttOBS to chorches, with iargeft words of exemption, and liberty from all 
fecolar charges, the concTufion of the Habendum was, * txceptit iftU 
IrJta/, ixfeditiofu, foniii^ arci/ve tonfiruQiont^ which among common 
iiocaries or fcrtveners, was fo well known, that they call'd it by one 

CwOi name, frinoda necejffitas^ as out of Cedwalla*s charter to Wilfrk!, 
bifhop of Selfey, of the mannor of Fagenham, (now Paghan))in Suf- 
&X, I kave feen tranfcribed ; whereupon in. a deliberative (concerning 
papd exn6tu»t, and fubjeftion of chuich-living)held under Hen. * HI. 
after examination of ancient kings indulgence to the clergy, it was 
fbmd, that, Nw adeo llhertati dtderunt hujjjmodi fojfejpones, quin triafibi 



t ha, m, aptdAUtth, Paris, HunttPigdon, 
Tth, 9^aijSi^tam, doamur^ lint alii loo. 
Acm, alti alitor dtfiniunt, Cdtffrim ^tttdmt 
msximi mavtt Qfaiffat lutfitattomt /« banc 
jtHentijm fedihus trt C9git, tn tikt ex 
Dnaftani Charta {Ann, 963.) pta Terrs 
pirtem concedit feptem Ar'atrorum, qnod 
Anglicc dicicur it^U/Vk HiJas. Nee /«. 



rremorem htc te wUem 'vocabliU Uliui afud 
Jur, Cwtf, mffros, l^tOf & C^axtlt I fuod 
Amim reftibile inttrfrttari taut igutrat 
Dufiendiui fuifft-am, 

• V. Cbjrfam tujufmodi afud D,SJ,C§k, 
inE^iJi. adlih, 6. 

w Mat, Par.f, %i%. 



882 P O LT'O L B 10 N: 

refer^£irin$Jm^fnpterfiSlicam r§gki Miilit4Him,'vMk0t, ixpsditi^em^ 
toniis & dras npmrati^St W rtfeHioms^ ^ f^ ^^ rtfifi$r$nt bofiium in* 
<arfionibusi althoiigK by word* of a ftatuteot Ethelulph Kiuj^of Wtft* 
Saxons in th« year 85 5* made by advice both of laity and ipiriCttali^» 
the church was quitted aUb of thofe three commonwealth cauies of ^- 
fidies, but enjoyed it not i for even the ' Canons themfe)ves fobjed 
their pofTeifions to thefe fervices and duues, and upon interpretation of 
a charter made by Henry li(eaud[ere» founder of the priory iof St. Ofwald 
In Yorkihire, conuining words of immunity and Uoerty of tenure, at 
general and effedtaal as miaht be, a great lawyer x long fince a£m»ed, 
that yet the hoiife was not freed of repairing bridges andcaufeys. fi«t all 
lands, as well in hands of clerks as YhVp were fubjeded to particular te- 
nures after the conqueft : and fo thefe kind of charges and dki^rgcs 
being made rather leodal (as 'fira^lon calls them) than perfonal, ufe of 
them in charters confequently ceafed. I note here to fiudents of anti- 
quity, that, where the printed Ingulph fays this was done by Ethelbald 
in the jd year of his reign, they muft with corre£Uoa naake it the 53d, 
jfs is, without fcruple, apparent in the date of * the fynod> which was 
the 745th of our Saviour. 

7be SritoHs had interred their protomartyr^s bones. 

In that nniv<er(al perfecution under Diodefiaii ^ Hercnlius, ^ this 
ifle gave, in St. Alban, teftimony of Chriftiaa profeffion 1 even to his 
)ift breath drawn among tormenting enemies of the cro&. His death 
(being the firft martyr, as the anthor here calls him, that this coonlly 
had) was at Werlamceiler, (/. t, the old Verulam) where, 1^, the abb^ 
of St. ^Ibant was afterward b ere&d. 

(Extirping Btterfiiks) and gave it England^ s ""name. 

Leek badeto die left note on the firft fo6g. ThM, as you fee, hath 
the mufecompendknify run through the heptarchy, and united k in I 
same and eaa|pire under Egbert kmg of Weft-Satons: after wkott, ! 
none hot his ittcceflbrs had abfidutepower in their kingdoms, ascooHb | 
of ftory ibews yoe. Likely enoegh I iraagkie, that as yet thee^^^ic- 
tadon of the reader k not iatkfied in thefe feven kkigdotin, theif be* 
ginnhits, territory, and flrft Ckriftianky : therefore a* a coAdkiyfeckM 
thb for thd eye*a more fsydle inftru^ion. 



. X ^rt^^r* itiwtt, tit, dt lium, Ecci € . a Mahitib. lib. de frtfl. Pcntif, 1. 
. y KMtxmt^ 4^E4. ^faL 25. a, 1 « Circa $nn, Sgo* 



f^ 



SON.G THE ELEVENTH. 883 

Began in Received tlie Faith in 
I. Hengift456»&om 
whofe fon Oifc the 
fttcceeding kines 
were callol Oifcings. 



^-^ThenowKcnt. 



I. Ethelbert, 597. of 
Angoftine from Gre* 
gory 1/ 



'% 
IK 

I 

O 



SuiTex 
Surry 



. Cornwall 
jg rDevonfliire 
^ \ Dorfet 
;^ ) Somerfet 
^. J Wilton 
S I Southampton 
*^ ^Berklhirc 

^Lancafler 
York 
Durham 
Weftmoreland 
Northumber- 
land, and the 
neighbouring 
territory, to E- 
dJhburgh Frith ; 
whither, from 
Tine, was the 
liame of fiemic- 
land, and what 
lay pn this fide 
Tide, called 
^Dierland. 

>j rEflex 
c8 iMiddlefex 
% <PartofHerc- 
w Iford. 

>L 

fNorfolk I 

J Suffolk I 

"bb I Cambridgelhire 
< ' Part of Ely 



II. In ^Ua, abQut 



III. Ccrtic, «« 519, 
whofe grandfather 
was Gewife» and 
thence his people 
and pofterity were 
called Gewifesv 

IV. Ida 547, taking 
all Bemicland, as 
iElla twelve years 
after began inDier- 
land; but both king- 
doms foon were con- 
founded in one. 



II. Edilwalch 661. 
and the whole coun- 
try converted by 
Wilfrid 679. 

Kinegils 6^5^ bap- 
tized by Birin firft W- 
fhop of Dorchefter in: 
Ojaordihire. 



Edwin 626, chriften- 
ed by Paulin firft 
archbifhop (in the 
Saxon times) of 
York. 



o 
2: 



V. Sleda after fome 
(others fay in Erch- 
win before) about 
580, both uncertain^ 
and their fuccefibrs. 

VI. Redwaldf about 
600: but fome talk 
of one VuflFa (whence 
thefe kings were call- 
ed Vufiings) to be 
author of it near 30 
yean before. 



Mmm 



i I fQJJoir htvt the 9T4ifary Clirraolegy of tut Mrnks. 



Sd)ert6o4, dipt in 
holy tindiore by 
Mellitus, firftbiAop 
of London. 

£orpwaId^632, al- 
though Redwald 
were chriftned, for 
he irpon fell to apo- 
ftafy, by perfuanon 
of his wife, and in the 
iame chapel made 
onealtartoChrift,a. . 
nother to th« D^'i^l. 
Com.* 



884 



p 1 r-am iQ N: 



.S 

I 

(if 

I 



VII. In Penda 626. 
Others will in Crlda, 
tome 40 y ws Im:- 
ibrc. 



Peada king of Mid - 
dle-Engle, baptized 
byFinna bii^iop of 
Lindisfam^, but en- 
larged the proftffi- 
on of it in Vulpher, 
next king tly^re. 



Glocefter 

Hereford 

Worcefter 

Warwick 

Leicefter' 

Rutland 

Northampton 

Lincoln 

Huntingdon 

Bedford 

Buckingham 

Oxford 

Stafford 
, Derby 
i Salop 

No(tii\gbtip 
Cheftcr 

The northern 
part of Here- 
ford. Bi^t in thefe 
the ii^bitants 
of them inlands 
were called 
Middle-J^oglies, 
and the Merci- 
ans divided in- 
to names of 
their local quar" 
ters. 



Perhaps as good authority may be giv'en aj^ainft (om^pf my pror 

pofed chronology, as I can juIHfy mvfelf with. But although fo» yet 

I am therefore freed of error, becaufe our old nionks exionjdi^gly in this 

kind corrupted, or deficient, afford nothing able to redify. I know 

the £aft- Angles, by bpth ancient and later authority, b^^ Above gne 

hundred years before ; but if with fynchronifm you examipe ijf> it will 

be found moil abfurd.' For feeing it is affinned expr^0y, tbi^t R^- 

Wald was flain by £thelfrid king of Northumberland, ank bo^ plain 

by " Bede (take his (lory together, and rely not upon fyllables aftd fiJfe 

printed copies) that it muft needs be near 60b, {fot Edwm fucceeded 

£thelfrid) and that Uffa was feme ^o years be&re : what calculadoh will 

- c^ft this into leis than coo y^s after Chrift ? Forget. not (if yop de$re 

accurate times) my admonitiop tp the I Vth fong, of the twenty-t^o 

years error upon the D^onyfian account, efpecial^ in the beginning 

of the kingdoms, becaufe they are for the moft part reckoned m M 

monks from the coming of ^e SaxOPt. * ^here you find (]a£Snr^t 

names from thefe, attribute it to mifi^nding old copies, by fuj;di as 

have publifhed Carpenwald for Eorprnvoldt of Earpwald ; Penjda; a^fo 

perhaps for Wenda, ij^^laking theSaxonp. fop our P. and other fudi, 

' vji- 



SONG THE ELEVENTH. 885 

irariaUy both written and printed. How in time they fucccffively came 
uader the Weft-Saxon rule, I muft not tell you, unlefs I fhould un^ 
tjoMiy put on the perfon of an hiftorian. Our common annals mani* 
feft it. But know nere, that although feven were, yet but £vc had any 
h>ng continuance of their fupremacies : 

C^e i^afronii^ tl^o tn tijer pototr /tho tljii \ottt fo rite/ 
;tete iimgDonitiDi made in Engeionde ano * futhe but taitie» 

C^e iling tf Northomberlond, anD Of Eaftangle alfO, 
<af Kent anD af WclMcx, anOOf tfje March t&ertD» 

a9 Robert of Gloceftcr^according to truth of ftory hath it, for Eftfex and . 
Southfex were not long after their beginnings (as it were) annexed to 
their ruling neighbour princes. 

yi nation from their firft bent naturally to fpoiL 

Indeed fo were univerfally the Germans (out of whom our Saxons) as 
Tacitus relates to us ; lice or are terramaut exJ^tSlare annum tarn fa- 
cik firfuaferis^ quam *vocare boftes fjT ijulnera mereri, Ptgrum quinimi 

jg^Sf iners <uidUurfuiiore acquirere quod fojpj /anguine farare, and more of 

■Tthat nature we read in him. 

f 0/ famous Cambridge jirfi ■■ ' - 

About the year 630, Sigebert (after death of Eorpwald) returning 
out of France, whither his father Redwald had banifhed him, and re- 
ceiving the Eaft-angle crown, a^ed by Fodix a Burgognone, and iiril 
biihop of Dunwich (then called Dunmoc) in Suffolk : defiring to imi- 
tate what he had feen obfervable in France, for the common good, 
hJHtuit fcMam (read it fcboUis, if you will, as fome c^o) I fee no con- 
fequeace <3i worth) m fua pucri Uteris erudirentur^ as Bedo writeth. 
Ostof diefe words "thus genera], Cambridge being in Eaft- Angle, hath 
been taken for this fdiool, and the fchool for the univerfity. I will 
baftrvv it (infomach as makes it then an Univerfity) not much fooner 
tluliitikat (I know not what) Gorgontius with Cantaber, fome 150 
years bt(breQirift, founded it ; or, thofe charters of king Arthur, bulls. 
of ^P^Honerias and Sernns fent diither ; Anaximander or Anaxago* 
rat their ftudits there, wit£ more fuch pretended and abford unlikeli- 
hoods 1 mleis every- grammar fchool oe an univerfity, as this was, 
wkeie childron were-uught by P^tdagogi &f magiftri juxta morem Can-' 
immrUrum^ as Bede hath exprefly : which \o muces Cknterbuiy an miir 
vtfAtf alfe. But nether is there any touch in authentick and ancient 
flom whtcK jaftifies thefe fchckols inftttuted at Cambridge, but general- 
ly^micwhiQre in Eaftangle. Reafons ofiiidacement are fiam*d in mul- 
titiides on ix>di fides. Bat, for my own part, I never faw any faffi- 
denll^ SnMM^ and therefore moft of all rdy upon what authorities 

Mmm a are 

e Aftitwifdt 



886 POLT-OLBIO N: 

are afForded. Am^ng them I ever preferred the Appendix to the 
ftory of Crowland, fuppofed done by Peter of Blois, affirming that un- 
der Henry I. (he lived very near the fame time : therefore believe him 
in a matter not fubjed to caufes of hiHorians temporizing) JofFred Ab- 
b6tofCrowland, with one Gilbert his commoigne, and three other 
monks came to his mannorof Cotenham, as they ufed oft-times, to 
read; and thence daily going to Cambridge, ConduSio, fuodam 
homo fublico fuas fcientias palam frofitentes^ in bre*ui temforis excurfu^ 
grandem difcipulorum vumtrutn contraxerunt. Anno vera ftcundo ad'ViU'^ 
tus illorum^ tantum accrtfvit difcipulorum numerusy tarn ex tota pqtriny 
quam ex oppido^ quod qualibet domus maxima^ horreuniy neculla ecclejia 
fyfficeret eorum receptaculo : and fo goes on with an enfuing frequency 
of fchools. If before his there were an univerfity, I imagine that in 
it was not profeft Ariflotle's Ethicks, which tell us, cfiei Ttif Sf ri* 
xSf ^i?<lAf : for then would they not have permitt^ learned readers 
of the fciences (whom all that hated not the mufes could not but love) 
to be compelled into a bam, inftead of fchools. Nor is it tolerable in 
conceit, that for near five hundred years (which interceded betwixt 
this and Sigebert) no fitter place of profeflion (hould be eredled. To 
this time ouers have referred the beginning of that famous femhiary of 
good literature : and if room be left for me, I offer fubfcription ; 
but always under reformation of that moft hpnourcd tutorefs*a pupils,, 
which (hall (omitting fabulous trafh) judicioufly inftruA otherwife. 
But the author here out of Polydore, Leland, and others of later time 
rtlying upon conjedture, hath his warrant of better credit than Cantilup, 
another relater of that Arcadian original, which fome have fo violent- 
ly patronized. 

Renowned Oxford built fjipollols learned brood. 

So it is affirmed (of that learned king, yet knowing not a letter un- 
til he was paft twelve) by Polydore, Bale, and others 5 grounding them- 
felvet upon what Alfred's beneficence and moft deferving care hath 
manifefted in royal provifion for that facred nurfe of leimung. But 
juftly it may be doubted, left they took mftauration of what was de« 
£cient, for inftitution : for although you grant that he firft founded 
tJniverfity College ; yet it follows not, but there might be common 
(chools and colleges, as atthls dayinl.eyden, Giefie, and other places 
of High and Low Germanv. If you pleafe, fetch hither that of Greek- 
lade (to the third fong) which I will not importune you to believe r 
but without fcruple you cannot but credit that of a monk of p St. Dewi's 
(made|;ranimar and xhetorick reader there by king Alfred)in thefe words 
of the year 886. Exorta efi peffima ac teterrima Oxoni^ difcordi^ in* 
ter Grimboldum (this was a great and devout fcholar, whofe aid Alfred 
uficd in lus difpofition of leduret) do&ijjjimofqui illos wiroi feeum illuc 
adduxity (sf njeteres ill9S Jcholafiiaa quos ibidem inmenij/et : qui ejus id- 
i^tu, Ifg^f modes, iupr^kg^formtJasabefdemGrimb§minfiifU^> 

^er, MeHeveMf, d$ i^, Alfreds .' . ; > 



SONG THE ELEVENTH. 887 

pmrn ex parte anflcQi recufahant. And a little after, ^h/etiam proba^ 
baiU Cff ofiendebant^ idque itiduhitato meterum onnalium trjiimonio, iUins 
loci ordines ac inftituta^ a nonnull. s pits {*f cruditis bominibus fuijjfe fan^ 
dta^ ut a Gtldd (Melkino be was a great mathematician, and as Gil- 
das alfo lived between 5 and 600) Ne'inio (the printed book hath falfly 
Nemrid) Kentigeme (he lived about 509) U aliis, qui omnes Uteris illic 
€9m/ennerunt^ omnia ibidem fctlici pace isf concordia adminiftr antes % 
and affirmed alfo that letters had there been happily profeft in very an- 
cient time, with frequency of fcholars, until irruptions of 9 pagans 
(they meant Danes) had brought them to this lately redored deficiency. 
After this teftimony, greater than all exception, what can be more plant 
than the noble worth and fame of this pillar of the mufes long before 
king Alfired*s f Neither make I any great queftion, but that, where 
in an old copy of Gildas^s life (publiihed lately by a ' Frenchman) it is 
printed, that he ftudied at Iren, which clearly he took for a place in 
this land, it ihould be Ichen (and 1 confefs, before me one hath well pub- 
liih'd theconjedure) for fftpD-^CJ^tn the Welih name of that City, ex- 
preffing as much as Oxenford. Yet I would not willingly fall into the ex- 
tremes of making it Memprikes, as fome do ; that werebuX vain afeAati- 
on to dote on my reverend mother. Bat becaufe in thofe remote ages, 
not only oniverfities and publick fchools (being ■ for a time prohibited 
by P. P, Qrcgory for fear of breeding Pelagians and Arians) but divers 
monafteries and cloyfters were great < auditories of learning,as appears in 
Theodore and Adrian's profelTing at Canterbury, Maldulph and Al- 
delm at Malmeibury (this Aldelm firil taught the Englifh to write ^ La- 
tin profe and verfe) Alcuin at York, Bede at Jarrow, and fuch other 
more, I guefs that hence came much obfcuiity t i their name, 
omitted or fuppreiTed by envious monks of thofe times, then whofe 
traditions defcending through many hands of their like, we have no 
credibly authorities. But which foever of thefe two fillers have prero- 
gative of primogeniture (a matter too much controverted betwixt them) 
none can give them lefs attribute, than to be two radiant eyes fix'd in 
this iflandf as the beauteous face of the earth's body, 'i'o what others 
have by induftrious fearch communicated, I add concemiug Oxford 
out of an ancient ^ MS. (but fmce the Clementines) what 1 cherc read :' 
Apudmontem Peffulattum, Parijios^ Oxoniam^ Colonics, Buloniamj ge* 
veraliaftudia ordinamus. Adqwe Prior pro'vindalis quilibet pojjit mi tiers 
duos fr aires ^ qui haheani fiudentium libertatem ; and alfo admonifti the 
reader of an impofture thruft into the world this lad autumn mart in a 
provincial catalogue of bifhopricks by a profeil antiquary and po- 
piih canon of x Antwerp, telling us, that the MS. copy of it, found in 
St. Viftor's library at Paris, was written 500 years fmce, and in the 
number of Canterbury province, it hath Oxford ; which being written 

M m m 3 ®xo- 



^ About Aljre^% time, before his in* 
flaaration a Grammarian was not founsi In 
his Kingdom to teach him. Fhrent, fVi- 
gc^n,p, 300. 

r joon. 4 £0^:0 Parif, in Biblittlf Fh" 
riacenf. vit, Gtid. C0f, 6. 

8 Bri, Tuin, Ap^iog, Ox, 2. §, %^ 



t Leland ad Cyg» Cant, in Granti» 

u CamS. in Wiltonid, 

X Conftituticnet Fratrum, cap, deStudiit, 
(& Magili. Student. 

y Aubert Mineut in N(4it, EpiJcypH^ 
edttt For\fiit z6lO* 



888 



POL r-^0 L B 10 N, 



Oxonienfis, I imagined might have been miftaken for Exonienfis (as 
Exonia fof Oxonia fometimes) until I faw Exonienfis join'd alfo ; hy 
which ftood Petroburgenfis, which bruifed all the credit of the mo- 
nument, but cfpecially of him that publifh'd it. For, who krjows not 
that Peterborough was no bifhoprick till Henry the eighth ? nor indeed 
was Oxford, which might eafily be thought much otherwife, by inci- 
dence of an ignorant eye on that vainly promifmg title. I abftain from 
^expatiating^ in matter of our mufes feats, fo largely, and too largely treat* 
cd of by others. 

And into feveral Jhires the kingdom did divide. 

To thofe (hires * he conftituted Juftices and Sheriffs, called yt/iepts 
and Fhyn3»n*Fa8,.the office of thofc two being before confounded in 
Vice-Dvmini, i.e. Lieutenants ; but fo, that Vicedominus^ and Vicecmnes 
remained indifferent words for the name of Sheriff, as in a charter of 
king Edred 950. — Ego Bingulph Vlctdominus confului >f4. Ego Alfer 
Victconus audt'ui >J<, 1 find together fubfcribed. The Juflices were, 
as I think, no other than thofe whom they called €olbo|i mannum, being 
the fame with Sojiles, now Earls, in whofe difpofition and government 
upon delegiition from the king (the title being officiary, not hereditary, 
except in fom« particular fhird, as Leicefter, &c.) the county was ; 
i«rith the bifhop of the diocefe : the earl • fat in the Scyjiesemober 
twice every year, where charge was given touching *> Hober |iihb6-} 
jepeoiwlb /iihte : But by the *=Conqueror, this meddling of the biftiop in 
Tournes was prohibited. The (heriff had then his monthly court alfo, 
as the now county court inftituted by the Saxon Edward I. as that other 
of the Tourn by king Edgar. The Sheriff is now immediate officer 
to the king's court, but it feems that then the earl (having always the 
third part of the (hire's profits, both before and fmce the Normans) 
)iad charge upon him. For this divifion of counties : how inany he 
inade, I know not, but Malmefbury, under Ethelred affirms, there 
were thirty-two, (Robert of Glocefler thirty-five) about whkh time 
Winchelcomb was one, " but then join'd to Glocefterihire 5 thofe 
thirty-two * were 

Kent, SuiTex, Surrey, Hantfhire, Berkfhire, Wiltfhire> Somerfet, 
Dorfet, Devonshire ; thefe nine governed by the Weft Saxon law. 
Eifex, Middlefex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertford, Cambridge, Bedford, 
Buckingham, Huntingdon, Northampton, Leicefter, Derb^, Notting- 
ham, Lincoln, York ; thefe fifteen by the Danifh law. Oxford, 
Warwick, Gloucefter, Hereford, Shropftiire, Stafford, Chefhire, Wor- 
cefter ; thefe pight by the Mercian law- 

Here 



z H^r.CreiejMndtafis, 

« E^ar leg^ Human, cap, 5. Edv), C4p, 
11, Canut, cap, X7. 

b Ria, Chart. 2. Rich. 2. ^r« Decaa, & 
fafii, Linfol/i, trgt^cripfimut w Jsif JU* 



glorutn /. z. §• Z4« & vidtat apud Fok^ 

bift, ecclef, 4* 
c God*8 right tnd the wor]d*t« 
d Codex fyigern. ap, Camd, m Dthrniu 
c Folyckmfcon U^, i. t*p, dipnviiKm* 



SOMO +HB ELEVENTH. 889 

Herewai nono of Coriiw«l» Cumberland, (fliled alfo Carlidefhire) 
Ncathmnbeibiicly Lancafter, Woftmordimd (wmch was fince tldtd Ap- 
l^febyflint) Dbrham» Monmouth, nor RcTtlahJ, which at this day make 
our number (belldes the twelve in Wales) forty. Comwal (becaufe of 
iht Britons ttere planted) until the Conquetor eave the county to 
1m. brother Robeit of Moreton, continued oiit oi the divifidn. Cum- 
b^laiid^ Kcft^hulribeHand, Weibioreland, and .IJiffhSnl» being aft 
northem, feem to have been then under S(^eti& Or Daniih powiif . 
But the two firft received their divifion, as it feems, before the con- 
queft : for Cumberland had its particular ^ governors, and Northum- 
berland s earls : WeftmoreUnd perhaps began when king John gave 
it Robert Vipont, anceftor to the ClilFords, holding by that patent to 
this day the inheritance of the fherifFdom. Durham religioufly was 
with larae *^ immunities given to the biihop fince the Norman inva- 
fion.« Lahcaft2r» undl Henry III. created his younger fon Edmund 
Crook-back earl of it, I think, was no cpunty : for in one of our old 
year books a learned * judge affirms, that in this Henry's time, was 
the firft fherilF's toum held there. Nor until Edward (firft fon to Ed- 
mund Langley duke of York, and afterward duke of Aumerle) created 
by Richard II. had Rutland any earls. I know for number and time 
of thofe, all authority agrees not with me; but I conjecture only up- 
on feledcd. As Alured divided the (hires firft j fo to him is owing 
the conftitution of hundreds, tithings, lathes, and w^jpentakea, to the 
end that whofoever were not lawfully, upon credit of his Boroughs, 
f\ /. pledges, admitted in (bme of them for a good fubjeCt, ihould be 
reckoned as fufpicibtri of li^e and loyalty. Softie ftcps thereof remain 
in our ancient ;t^ latei^ law- books. 

fFJbicb be an heirloom left unto tbi Bnglifi throne. 

• The firft healing of the king's evil is referred to this lidward ^ the 
Confeflbr : and of a particular example in his curiAg a yo\mg married 
woman, an old ' MbAumBnt is left to pOftirity. In France fuch a kind 
of cure it attributed to. their kings, alfo; both of that and this, if you 
defire particular inquifition, take Dr. Tqoker's Cbaii/ma fanationis. 

Our country" s comithm laws did fait bfitlly produce. 

Li Lombard's Arctoebftoimy and Roger of Hoveden's Henry II. are 
laws under the name of the Confefljbr and Conqueror join'd and de- 
duced for the moft part out of theil- predecelTors ; but thofe of the 
ConfeiTor feem to be the feme, }f« Mafeifefbury deceive not, which king 

M m m 4 Cnut 

f Mat, W0» fit, «66. maximg vtrt bucfaciunt Itiii. ilia H, t; & 

f JirM, m CrMdi^ Ed. r. 



I BraB, tip. 3, tiw 04 Corons tap, lo. 
^^A. ofiMDm, Ed. M, lib. 6.foi. 77. 



k FoiyJor. hift, S. 
1 Eitred, RLivalUnJ, ap. ^oek. in C&4* 
rifmst, Sdndi^ a 6. 

m Dtgejl. Reg. z. cap^ x\s 



$90 P O L T'O LB 10 IsT:^ 

Cnut colle£icdf of whom his words are, Omne; ieges ab HM/ifuu rsgi- 
ius W maxime anteceffore fuo Etbelred^ latas, fub interminathne regi^t 
tnulSi^^ perpeiuis temporibus ^ab/ervari praceptty in fuarum cujiodiam 
ttiam nunc tempore bonorum Jub nomine regis Edwardi juratur^ non quod 
tile fiatuerit^ fed quod obfervaverit ; an4 under this name have they 
been humbly defired by the fubjeft, granted with qualification, and 
controverted, as a main and firft part of liberty, in the next age fol- 
lowing the Norman conqueft. 



P O L r-0 L B I O N: 

The TWELFTH SONG. 

The Argument. 
7 he mufej thai part of Shropjhire plies 
Which on the Eaft of Severn lies : 
Where mighty JVrekinfrom his height^ 
In the proud Cambrian mountains fpite. 
Sings thofe great Saxons ruling here^ 
Which the moft famous warriors were, 
jind as fhe in her courfe proceeds^ 
Relating many glorious deeds 
Of Guy of Warwick's fight ^ doth fir ain 
With Colehrondy that renowned Dane^ 
And of the famous battles try' d 
*^wixt Knute and Edmond Ironfide^ 
^0 the Staffordian fields doth rove^ 
Vifits the fprings of Trent and Dove ; 
Of Mor eland y Cank^ and Needwood ftngs \ 
An end which to this canto brings. 

TH E haughty Cambrian hills enamour'd of their praife, 
(As they who only fought ambitioufly to raifc 
The blood of god-like Brute) their heads do proudly bear : 
And having crowned themfclves fole regents of the air 

(Another 



SONG THE TWELFTH. 891 

(Another war with heavep as though they meant to make) 
Did feem m great difdain the bold affront to take. 
That any pe^ty hill upon the Englifb fide. 
Should dare, not (widi a crouch) to vale unto their piide; 

When Wreldn, as a hill lus proper worth that knew. 
And ujiderftood from whence their infolcncy grew. 
For all that, they appeared fo terrible in fighr. 
Yet would not once forego a jot that was his right. 
And when they ftar'd on him, to them the like he gave. 
And anfwer'd glance for glance, and brave for brave : 
That, when fome other hills which Engliih dwellers were. 
The lufty Wrekin few himfdf fo well to bear 
Againft the Cambrian part, refpefUefs of thdr power ; 
His eminent difgrace expedting every hour, 
Thofe flatterers that before (with many chearfiil look) 
Had grac'd his goodly fite, him utterly foribok. 
And muffled them in clouds, like mourners veiled in black. 
Which of their utmoft hope attend the ruinous wrack : 
That thofe delicious nymphs, fair Team and Rodon clear 
(Two brooks of him belov*d, and two that held him dear 5 
He, having none but them, they having none but he. 
Which to their mutual joy might cither's objeft be) 
Within their fecret breaib conceived fundry fears, 
And as they mixt their ftreams, for him fo mixt their tears. 
Whom, in their coming down, when pl^ly he difceros^ 
For them his nobler heart in his ftrong bofom yearns : 
But, conftandy refolv'd, that (dearer if they were) 
The Britons fhould not yet all from the Engliih bear ; 

* Therefore, quoth he, brave flood, tho* forth by * Cambria 

brought, 

* Yet as fair England's fiiend, or mine thou would'fl be 

thought 

* (O Severn!) let thine ear my juft defence partak-e :' 
Which f^, in the behalf of th* Engliih thus he fpake ; 

* Wife Weever (I fuppofe) fufficiendy hath faid 
' Of thofe our princes here, which fafted, watched and pray'd,' 

*Whofc 

I Out otPtimlim/i in the copfiiu» of Cardig^ uA Moux^^xsatj . 



:802 POL r^O L B 10 hi : 

» Whofc deep devotion went for other's reni'mus deeds : 
^ But in this fong of mine, he ferioufly thxt re^^s^ , 
« Shall find, ere 1 have done, the Briton (fo extol'd, 
*^ Whofe height each mountain ftrives fo mainly to upboM) 
« Match'd with as valiant meii, and of as clean a might, 
c As (kilful to command, and as inur'd to fighc. 
« Whojwhen their fortune will'd that after they fhould fcorfe 
« Blows with the big-bon'dDancj exchar^ng fofce fdf fotee 

* (When firft he put from fea to forage on this fhori^, 

* Two hundred ^ years diftain'd with cither's eqyal gcW! j 
« Now this aloft^ no^ that , oft did the Englilh itighj 

* And oftentimes again depreflSsd by the Dan6) 

* The Saxons thehj I fay, themfelves as bravely (hoWd^ 

* As thofe on whom the Welfh fuch glorious prdife bifftb>fr'd, 

* Nor could his angry fword, who Egbert dVerthreiw 

* (Through which he thought at olieethe Saxons to fubfdue) 

* His kingly courage quell : but from his fhort retire^ 

* His reinforced troops (new forg*d with fprightly fitb) 

* Before them dravc the Dane, and made the BHton rUn 

* (Whom he by liberal wage here to his aid had Won) 

* tjpon their recreant backs, which both in flight were fl^fiflj 

* Till their huge murthered heaps manur'd each neigfr- 

* b'ring plain. 

* As Ethelwolf a^n, his utmoft powers that bertt 

* Ag^il thofe firefli fupplies each year from Denmark feftt 
< (Which prouling up and down in thfeir rude Danifh oafs, 

* Here put themfelves by Health upon the peft'red fhof^) 
^ In many a doubtful fight much fame vA England wall. 

* So did the king of Kent, cour^bus Athelftan, 

* Which here againfl the Dane got fuch vi6forioDS days. 

* So we the Wiltfhire men as iw^ofthily may praife, 

^ That buckled with thofe Danes, by Georl and Ofrick 
^ brought. 

* AhdEthelred, with them nine fundry fields that foughfj^ 

* Recorded in his praife, the conqucfts of one year. 

* You right-nam'd Englifh then,courageous men you were. 

When 



SONG THE TWELFTH. 89J 

* When Reading ye regained, led by that valiant lord : 

* Where Bafiig ye out-brav'd, and Halden, fword to fword ; 

* The moft redoubted fpirits that Denmark here addrcft, 

* AndAlured, not much inferior to the reft : 

* Who having in his days fo many dangers paft, 

* In feven brave foughten fields their champion Hubba 

chas'd, 

* And flew him in the end, at Abington, that day^ 

* Whofe Uke the fun ne'er law in his diurnal way : 

* Where thofe, that from the field fore wounded fadly fled, 

* Were well-near overwhelmed with mountains of the dead, 

* His force and fortune made the foes fo much to fear, 
' As they the land at laft did utterly forfwear. 

* And when proud "" Rollo, next, their former powers 

repair'd 
« (Yea, when the worft of all it with the Englilh far*d) 

* Whofe countries near at hand, his force did ftill fupply, 

* And Denmark to her drew the ftrengths of Normandy, 
' This prince in many a fight their forces (till defy*d. 

* The goodly river Lee he wifely did divide, 

* By which the Danes had then their full-fraught navies tew*d: 

* The greatnefs of whofe ftream befieged Hartford rew*d, 

* This Alfred, whofe forefight had politickly found 

* Betwixt them and the Thames advantage of the grouml, 

* A puiHant hand thereto laborioufly did put, 

L§. And into lefler (breams that fpacious current cut. 
*^ Their fhips thus fet on fhore (to fruftrate their defire) 

* Thofe Danilh hulks became the food of Englifli fire. 

* Great Alfred left his life : when Elflida up-grew, 
« That far beyond the pitch of other women flew : 

* Who having in her youth of childing felt the woe, 

* §. Her lord's embraces vowMflie never more would know: 

* But differing from her fex (as, full of manly fire) 

* This moft courageous queen, by conqueft to afpire, 
« The puiffant Danifh powers viftorioufly purfuM, 

* And refolutely here through their thick fquadrons hew'd 

♦ Her 

; See to the next Son^ of Rolh. 



«94 POL r^O L B 10 N: 

^ Her way into the north. Where Derby having won, 

* And things beyond belief upon the enemy done, 

* She fav'd befieged York ; and in the Danes defpight, 

* When moft they were upheld with all the Eaftern might, 

* More towns and cities built out of her wealth and power, 

* Than all their hoftile flames could any way devour. 

* And, when the Danilh here the country moft deftroy*d, 

* Yet all our powers on them not wholly were employed ; 

* But fome we ftill referv'd abroad for us to roam, 

* Te fetch-in foreign fpoils, to help our lofs at home. 

* And all the land, from us they never clearly wan : 

* But to his endlefs praife, our Englilh Athelftan, 

* In the Northumbrian fields, with moft viftorious might 

* Put Alaflf and his powers to more inglorious flight -, 

* And more than any king of th' Englifh him before, 

* Each way from North to South, from Weft to th' Eaftern 

Ihore, 
« Made all the ifle his own : his feat who firmly fixt, 

* The Caledonian hills and Caithnefs point betwixt, 

< §. And Conftantine their king (a prifoner) hither brought j 

* Then over Severn's banks the warlike Britons fought : 

* Where he their princes forc*d from that their ftrong retreat, 
« In England to appear at his imperial feat. 

* But after, when the Danes, who never wearied were, 

< Came with intent to make a general conqueft here, 

* They brought with them a man deem'd of fo wondroq^ 

might, 

* As was not to be matched by any mortal wight : 

* For, one could fcarcely bear his ax into the field -, 

« Which as a little wand the Dane would lightly wield : 

* And (to enforce that ftrength) of fuch a dauntlefs fpirit, 

* A man (in their conceit) of fo exceeding merit, 

* That to the Englifli oft they offered him (in pride) 

* The ending of the war by combat to decide : 

* Much fcandal which procurM unto the Englifh name. 

* When, fome out of their love, and fome fpur*d on with 

ftiame, 

*By 



SONG THE TWELFTH. 895 

« By envy fomc provoked, fome out of courage, fain 

* Would undertake the caufe to combat with the Dane* 
' But Athclftan the while, in fettled judgment found, 

* Should th<5 defendant fail, how wide and deep a wound 

* It likely was to leave to his defenfive war. 

• Thus, wMlft with fundry doubts Ws thoughts per- 

* plexed are. 

It i^eas'd all-powerful heaven, that Warwck's famous Guy 

(The knight through all the world renown'dfor Chivalry) 

Arrived from foreign parts, where he had held him long. 

His honourable arrtis devoutly having hung 

In a religious hou(e, the ofTrings of his praifc 

To his redeemer Chrift, his help at all aflays 

(Thofc arms, by whofe ftrong proof he many a Chriftian 

•freed, 
And bore the perfeft marks of many a worthy deed) 
Himfelf, a Palmer poor, in homely ruffet clad 
(And only in his hand his hermit's ftaff he had) 
Towards Winchefter alone (fo) fedly took his way. 
Where Athelftan, that time the king of England lay ; 
And where the Danilh camp then ftrongly did abide,. 
Near to a goodly mead, which men there call the Hide. 

• The day that Guy arriv'd (when filent night did bring 
Sleep both on friend and foe) that mod reli^ous king 
(Whofe ftrong and conftant heart all grievous cares iiip- 

• preft) 

His due devotion done, betook hinrfdlf to reft. 
To whom it feem'd by night an angel did appear. 
Sent to him from that God whom he invok'd by pray'r ; 
Commanding him the time not idly to fore-ftow. 
But rathe as he could rife, to fuch a gate to go, 
Whereas he Ihould not fail to find a goodly knight 
In Palmers poor attire : though very meanly dighr, 
Yet by his comely Ihape, and limbs exceeding ftrong, ^ 
He easily might him know the other folk among ; 
And bade him not to fear, but chufe him for the man. 

• No fooncr brake the day, but up rofc Athclftan ; 

•And 



«98 POL r-0 L B 10 N: 

* As if together grown, a third his chin doth reft : 

* Another looks o'er his : andothcrs hardly preft. 
Looked underneath their arms. Thus, wKlft in crowds 

* they throng 

' (Led by the king himfelO the champion comes along ; 

* A man well ftrook in years, in homely palmer's gray, 
^ And in his hand his ftafF, his reverend fteps to ftay, 

^ Holding a comely pace: which at his pading by, 

* In every cenfuring tongue, as every ferious eye, 

* Cprnpaflion mix*d with fear, diftruft and courage bred. 

* Then Colebrond for the Danes came forth in ireftil red ; 

* Before him (from the camp) an enfign firft difplay'd 

< Amidft a guard of gleaves : then fumptuoufly array'd 

< Were twenty gallant youths, that to the warlike found 
« Of Danifli brazen drums, with many a lofty bound, 

« Come with their country's march, as they toMarsfhould 

* dance. 

* Thus, forward to the fight, both champions them advance : 

* And each without refpedb doth refolutely chufe 

* The weapon that he brought, nor doth his foe's refulc. 

* The Dane prepares his ax, that ponderous was to feel, 

* Whofefquareswere laid with plates, and riveted with fteel, 
^ And armed down along with pikes; whofe hardned points 

* (Fotc'd with the weapon's weight) had power to tear thq 

joints 

* Of cuirafe or of mail, or whatfoe'er they took : 

* Which caus'd him at the knight difdainfully to look. 

* When our ftout palmer foon (unknown for valiant Guy ) 

* The cord from his ftraight loins doth prefently untie, 

* Puts off his palmer's weed unto his trufs, which bore 

* The ftains of ancient arms, but IhowM it had before 

^ Been coftly cloth of gold ; and off his hood he threw : 

* Out of his hermit's ftaff his two-hand fword he drew 

* (The unfufpeded Iheath Which long to it had been) 
*, Which till that inftant time the people had not feen, 

* A fword fo often try'd. TJien to himfelf, quoth he, 
•* Arms, let me crave your aid, to fct my country free : 

" And 



SONG THE TWELFTR 899 

*' And never Ihall my heart your help again require, 
•* But only to my God to lift you up in pray'r. 

* Here, Colebrond forward made, and foon the Chrif- 

* tian knight 

* Encounters, him again with equal power and fpight : 

* Whereas, betwixt them two, might easily have been fcen 

* Such Wows, in publick throngs as ufcd had they been, 

* Of many there the leaft might many men have flain : 

* Which none but they could ftrike, nor none but they 

* liiftain •, 

* The moft relehtlefs eye that had the power to awe, 

* And fo great wonder bred in thofe the fight that fkw, 

* As verily they thought, that nature until then 

* Had purpofely refcrv'd the utmoft power of men, 

* Where ftrengthftill anfwer'd ftrength, on courage courage 

* grew. 

* Look how two lions fierce, both hungry, both purfue 

* One fweet and felf-fame prey, at one another flie, 

* And with their armed paws ingrappled dreadfully, 

' The thunder of their rage, and boift'rous ftruggling, make 
•-The neighbouring forefts round afFrightedly to quake : 

* Their fad encounter fuch. The mighty Colebrond ftruck 

* A cruel blow at Guy : which though he finely broke, 

* Yet (with the weapon's weight) his ancient hilt it fplit, 
•And (thereby leffcned much) the champion lightly hie 

* Upon the revcren4 brow : immediately from whence 

* The blood dropt fofcly down, as if the wound had ifenfe 
' Of their much inward woe that it with grief Ihould fee. 

' The Danes, a deadly blow fuppofing it to be, 
' Sent fuch an echoing fhout, that rent the treubled air. 

* The Englifti, at the noife, waxM^all fo wan with fear, 

' As though they loft the blood their agedchampionlhedj 
' Yet were not thefe fo pale, but th* other were as red : 
^ As though the blood that fell, upon their cheeks had ftaid. 
' Here Guy, his better fpirits recalling to his aid, 

* Came frefii upon his foe i when mighty Colebrond makes 
'. Anqthcr defperate ftroke : which Guy of Warwick takes 

N n a * Ua- 



900 P L r^O L B 10 N: 

* Undauntedly aloft ; and followed with a blow 

* Upon his fhprfer ribs; that the exceffive flaw 

* Streamed up unto his hilts : the wound fo gap'd withall, 

* As though it meant to lay. Behold your champion's fall 
^ By tnis proud palmer's hand. Such claps again and cries 

* The joyful Enghfti gave,, as deft the very fkies. 

* Which coming on along from thefc that were without, 

* When thofe within the town received this cheerfijl fhout, 

* They anfwer'd them with like j as thofe their joy that 

* knew. 
' * Then with fuch eager blows each other they purfue, 

* As every offer made (hould threaten imminent death ; 

* Until, through heat and toil both h^dly drawing breath, 

* They defperately doclofe. Look how two boars being fet 

* Together fide to fide, their threatening tulks do whet, 

* And with their gnafhing teeth their angry foam do bipe, 

* Whilftftill they (hould'ringfeek, each other where to fmiie: 

* Thus ftood thofe ireful knights ; till flying back, at length 

* The palmer,, of the two the firft recovering ftrength, 

* Upon the left arm lent great Colebrond fuch a wound, 

* That whilfl-his weapon's point fell well-near fo the ground, 

* And flowly he it rais'd^ the valiant Guy again 

* Sent through hb cloven fcalp his blade into his brain. 

* When downward went his head, and up his heels he threw ; 

* As wanting hands to bid his countrymen adieu. 

* The Englilh part, which thought an end he would have 
made, 

* And feeming as they much would in his praife have faid, 

* H^ bid them yet forbear, whilfl: he purfu'd his fame, 

* That to this pafTed king next in fucceflion came ; 

* That great and puiflTant knight (in whofe viftorious days 

* Thofe knight-like deeds were dpne, no lefs defer ving praife) 

* Brave Edmond, Edward's fon, that Stafford having ta'cn, 

* With as fuccefsful fpeed won Derby from the Dane. 

* From Lie'fler then again, and Lincoln at the length, 

* Drave out the Dacian powers by his refifllefs ftrength : 

* And 



SONCi THB tWELFta 901 

* And this his England cleared beyond that ra^ng/ flood, 

* Which that proud lung of Huns once chrift^ncd with hij 

•blood. 

* By which^ great Edmond's power apparently was ftiown, 

* The land from Humber fouth recovering for his own i 
^ That Edgar after him fo much dildaihM the Dane 

' Unworthy of a war that Ihould difturb his raign^ 

* As generally he feem*d regardlefs of their hate. 

* And ftudying every way rtiagnificence in ftate^ 

* At Chefter whilft he liv'd at more than kingly charge,. 

* Eight tributary ' kings there row'd him in his barge : 

* His fliores from pirates fack the king that ftrongly kept : 

* §. A Neptune, whofe proud fails the Britifli ocean fwcpt. 

* But after his deceafe, when his more hopeful (on, 

* §. By cruel ftepdame*s hate to death was laftly done, 

* To fet his rightful crown upon a wrongful head 

* ( When by thy fatal curfe, licentious Etheldred, 

* Through diflblutenefs, floth, and thy abhorred life, 

* As grievous were thy fins, fo were thy Ibrrows rife) 

* The Dane, poffefling all, the EnglUh forc'd to bear 

* A heavier yoke than firft thofe heathen flaveries were J 

* Subjeded, bought, and fold, in that moft wretched plight* 

* As even fheir thraldom fecm'd their neighbours to affrights 
^ Yet could not all their plagues the Englifli height abate i 
*But even in their low'ft ebb, and miferableft ftate, 

* Courageoufly themfelves they into a<5tion put, 

* §. And in one night, the throats of all the Daniih cut. 

* And when in their revenge, the moft infatiat^ Dane 

* Unfliipt them on our fhores, under their puiflant Swanc 1 
' And fwoln with hate and ire, their huge unwieldy force 

* Came cluft*ring like the Greeks out of the woodcn^horfc : 

* And the Norfolcian towns, the near*ft unto the caft,' 

* With facrilege and rape did rerribleft infeft 5 

* Thofe Danes yet from the fhores we with- fuch Violence 

* drave, 

[ That from our fwords their fhips could them but hardly 

• fave. 

N n n 2 ♦ And 

[•ffu/ffler, fScc to SuigX* 



902 yP O L r-0 L B I Ni 

^ And to renew the war, that year enfuing, when 

* With fit fupplies for fpoil they landed here agen, 

* And all the fouthern ftiorcs from Kent to Cornwal fpred, 

* With thofe diforder'd troops by AlafF hither led, 

* In feconding their Swane, which cry*d to them for aid 5^ 
. * Their^multitudes fo much fad Ethelred difmay'd, 

* As from his country forc*d the wretched king to fly, 

* An Engliih yet there was, when England feem'd to ly 

* Under the heavieft yoke that ever kingdom bore, 

* Who wafht hisfecret knife in Swane*s relendefs gore, 

* Whilft (fwelling in excefs) his lavifli cups he ply*d. 

* Such means t' redeem themfelvcs th'afflided nation try'di. . 

* And when courageous Knute, th'late murther'd Swanus 

*fon, 

* Came in t*revehge that ad on his great father done, 
^ He found fo rare a fpirit that here againit him rofe, 

* As though ordain'd by heaven his greatnefs to oppofe : 

* Who with him foot to foot, and face to facedurftftand. 

* When Knute, which here alone affefted the command, 

* The aown upon his head at fair South-hanipton fet : 

* Aijd Edmond, loth to lofe what Knute defir'd to get, 

* At London caused himfelf inaugurate to be. 

* King Knute would conquer all, king Edmond would be 

'free. 
• The kingdom is the prize for which they both are preft: ■ 

* And with their equal powers both meeting in the weft, 

* The. green Dorfctian fields a deep vermillion dy*d : 

* Where Gillingham gave way to their great hofts (in pride) 

* Abundantly their blood that each on other fpent. 

* But Edmond, on whofe fide riiat day the better went 

* (And with like fortune thought the remnant to fupprefs 
*Tha? ^rum then befieg'd, which was in great diftrefs) 

* With his viftorious troops to Salilbury retires : 

^ When with freifh bleeding wounds, Knuie, as with frefli 

* defires, 

* Whofe might though fome-what maim'd, his mind yet 

• unfubdu'd, 

* His lately conquering foe courageoufiv i^urfu'd : 

•And 



SONG THE TWELFTH. 903 

^ And finding out a way^ fcnt to his friends with fpeed, 

* Who him fupply'd with aid : and being helpt at need, 

* Tempts Edmond ftill to fight, ftill hoping for a day, 

* Towards Wor'fterfhire their powers both well upon their 

* way, 

* There, felling to the field, in a continual fight 

* Two days tte angry hofts ftill parted were by night : 

* Where twice the rifing fon, and twic*. the fetting, fa«r 

* Them with their equal wounds their wearied breath to drawC 

* Great London to furprize, then (next) Canutus makes : 

* And thitherward as faft king Edmond Ironfide takes. 

* Whilft Knute fet <iown his fiege before the eaftern gate, 

* King Edmond through the weft paft in triumphal ftate. 

* But this courageous king, that fcorncd, in his pride, 

* A town fhould be befieg'd wherein he did abide, 

* Into the fields again the valiant Edmond goes, 

* Canutus, yet that hopes to win what he did lofe, 

* Provokes him ftill to fight : and falling back where they 

* Might field-roomth find at large, their enfigns to difplay; 

* Together flew again j that Brentford, with the blood 

* Of Danes and Englifh mixt, difcolour'd long time ftood. 

* Yet Edmond, as before, went viftor ftill away. 

* When foon that valiant Knute, whom nothing could 

* difmay, 

* Recaird his fcatter'd troo.ps, and into EfTcx hies, 

* Where (as ill fortune would) the Dane with frefh fupplies 

* Was lately come a-land, to whom brave Ironfide makes ; 

* But Knute to him again as foon frefti courage takes : 

* And fortune (as her felf) determining to ftiow 

' That ftie could bring an ebb on valiant Edmond's flow, 

* And easily caft him down from ofi"' the top of chance^ 

* By turning of her wheel, Canutus doth advance. 

* Where fhe beheld that prince which fhe had favor'd long 

* (Even in her proud defpight) his murtherM troops among 

* Withfweat and blood befmear'd (dukes, earls,and bifhops 

flain, 

* In that moft dreadful day, when all went to the Dane) 

N n n 3 * Througlt 



904 POL r.O I B lO N; 

* Through worlds of dangers wade; and with his fword and 

*ihield, 

* Such wonders there to aft, as made her in the field 

* Afhamed of her felf, fq bn^ve a fpirit as he 

* By her unconftant hand fhould fo much wronged be, 

' But, having Iqft the day, to Glocefter he draws, 

* To raife a fecond power in his (lain foldicrs caufe. 

* When late-encourag'd Knute, whilft fortune yet doth laft, 

* Who oft fi-om Ironfide fled, now followed him as fall. 

* Whilft thus in civil arms continually they toil, 

* And what th'one drives to make, the other feeks to fpoil, 
^ With threatning fwords ftill drawn ; and with obnoxious 

^ hands 

* Attending tlieir revenge, whilft either enemy ftands, 

^ Pne man ampngft the reft from this confufion breaks, 

* And to the ireful kipgs with courage boldly fpcaks •, 

* Yet cannot all this blood your ravenous out-rage fil| ? 

* Is there no law, no bound, to your ambitious will, 
f But what your fwords admit ? as .nature did ordain 

* Our lives for nothing elfc, but only to maintain 

f Your murthers, fack, and fpoil ? If by this waftful war 

* The land unpeopled ly, fome nation ftiall from tar, 
^ By ruin of you both, into the iQe be brought, 

f Obtaining that for which you twain fo long have fought. 

* Unlefs then through your thirft of empery you mtan 
^ Both nations in tlicfe broils (hall be extinguiflit clean, 

* Select you champions fit, by them to prove your right, 

* Or try it man to man your felyes in fingle fight. 

* When as thofe warlike kings, provok'd with courage 
' ^ high, 

* It willingly accept in perfon by and by. 

* And whilft they them prepare^ the ftiapeiefs concourfe grows 

* In litdc time fo great, that their unufual flows 

t Surroundpd Severn's banks, whofeftream amazed flood, 

* Her Birlichto behold, iniflcd with her flood, 

* That with refulgent arms then flamed ; whilft the kings, 

* Whofe rage out of the hate of eithcr's empire fprings, 

* Both armed cap-a-pie, upon their barred horfe 

* 1 ogethcr fiercely flew j that in their violent courfe 

^ .^ (Like 



SON<} THE TWELFTH. 905 

^ (like thunder when it Ipeaks moft horribly and bud, 

* Tearing the full-ftuft paunch of fome congealed cloud) 

^ Theft* ftrong hoofs ftn)ok the earth : and with the kzxfvli 
* Ihock, 

* Their fpears in fplinters flew, their bevers both unlock. 

* Canutus, of the two that fartheft was from hope, 
' Who found with what a foe his fortune was to cope, 

* Crys, noble Edtnond, hold j let us the land divide 

* Here th'Englifh and the Danes, from either equal fide 

* Were echoes to Ms words, and all aloud do cry, 

\ Courageous Idngs, divide i 'twere pity fuch fliould die. 

When now the neighboring floods will'd Wrekin to 
fupprefs 
His ftyle, or they were like to forfeit with excefs. 
And time had brought about, that now they all began 
To liften to a long-told Prophecy, which ran 
Of Moreland, that (he might live profperoufly to fee 
A river born of her, who well might rcckon'd be 
The tl^d of this large ifle : which faw did firft arifc 
From Arden, in thofe days delivering prophecies. 

The Druids (as fome (ay) by her inftrudted were. 
In many fecret IkiUs (he had been conn*d her lere. 
The ledden of the birds moft perfectly fhe knew : 
And alfo from their flight ftrange auguries fhe drew \ 
Supreameft in her place : whofe circuit was extent 
From Avon to the banks of Severn and to Trent : 
Where emprefs like (he (ate with nature's bounties bleft. 
And ferv'd by many a nymph 5 but two, of all the reft. 
That StafFordfhire calls hers, there both of high account. 
The eld*ft of which is Cank: though Needwood her fur- 
mount 
In excellence of foil, by being richly plac'd 
Twixt Trent and batning Dove ; and equally imbrac'd 
By their abounding banks, participates their ftore % 
Of Britain's forefts all (from th'lefs unto the more) 
For finenefs of her turf furpafling -, and doth bear 
H^r curled head (b high, that forefts far and near 

I^nn4 Oft 



9o6 POL r^O L BIO N:' 

Oft grutch at her eftatc ; her florifliing to fee. 

Of all their ftately tycrs difrobcd when they be. 

But (as the world goes now) o woful Cank the while. 

As brave a wood-nymph once as any of this ifle ; 

Great Arden's eldeft child : which, in her mother*s ground 

Before fair Feck' nham's fclf, herold age might have crown'd; 

^When as thofe fallow deer, and huge-hauncht flags that 

graz'd 
Upon her ftiaggy heaths, the paflcnger amazM 
* To fee their mighty herds, with high-palmM heads to threat 
The woods of o'ergrown oaks ; as though they meant to fet 
Their horns to th'other's heights. But now, both thofe and 

thefe 
Are by vile gain devoured : fo abjeft are our days ! , 
She now, unlike her felf, a neat-herd's life doth live. 
And her dejefted mind to country cares doth give. 
But mufe, thou feem'ft to leave the Morelands too too 
long : 
Of whom report may fpeak (our mighty waftes among) 
She from her chilly fite, as from her barfen feed. 
For body, horn, and hair, as fair a bead doth breed 
As fcarcely this great ifle can equal : then of her. 
Why (hould'ft thou all this while the prophecy defer ? 
"Who bearing many fprings, which pretty rivers grew. 
She could not be content, until Ihe fully knew 
Which child it was of hers (born under fuch a fate) 
As ftiould in time be rais'd unto that high eftate. 
(I fain would have yoU' think, that this was long ago. 
When many a river, now that furioufly doth flow. 
Had fcarcely learn'd to creep) and therefore flie doth will 
Wife Arden, from the depth of her abundant flcill. 
To tell her which of thcfe her rills it was flie meant. 
To fatisfy her will, the wifard anfwers •, Trent. 
For, as a flcilful fcer, the aged foreft wift:, 
A more than ufual power did in that name confifl:, 
Which thirty doth import •, by which flie thus divin'd. 
There fliould be found in her, of fifties thirty kind ; 
• And thirty abbeys great,. in places fat and rank. 
Should in fuccceding time be builded on her bank j 

And 



SONG THE TWELFTH. 907 

And thirty fevcral (treams from many a fundry way. 
Unto her greatnefs (hould their watry tribute pay. 

This, Moreland greatly lik'd : yet in that tender love. 
Which flie had ever bom unto her darling Dove, 
She could have wi(ht it his : becaufe the d^unty graft 
That grows upon his bank, all other doth furpafs. 
But, lubjeft he muft be : as Sow, which from her fprir^ 
At Stafford meeteth Penk, which Ihe along doth bring 
To Trent by Tixal graced, the Aftons ancient feat j 
WT)icb oft the Mufe bath found berfafe andfweet retreat. 
The noble owners kow ofwbicb beloved place^ 
Good fortunes them and tbetrs witb bonor'd titles gface : 
May heaven ft ill blefs that boufe^ till happy floods you fee 
Tour felves more grac'd by it^ than it by you can be. 
Whofe bounty^ ftill my Mufe fo freely fhall confefs^ 
• As when fhe fhall want words^ her figns fhall it exprefs. 

So Blyth bears eas'ly down tow'rds her dear fovcraign 
Tre^t : 
But nothing in the worl,d gives Moreland fuch content 
As her own darling Dove his confluence to behold 
Of floods in fundry ftrains : as,crankling Many fold. 
The firfl: that lends him force : of whofe meandred ways. 
And labyrinth-like turns (as in the mores Ihe (trays) 
She firft received her name, by growing ftrangely mad, 
O'ergone with love of Hanfe, a dapper Moreland lad. 
Who near their cryftal fprings as in thofe waftes they play'd, 
Bewitcht the wanton heart of that delicious maid : 
Which inftantly was tum'd fo much from being coy. 
That fhe might feem to doat upon the morifh boy. 
Who clofely ftole away (perceiving her intent) 
With his dear lord the Dove, in queft of princely Trent, 
With many otlier floods (as, Churnet, in his train 
That draweth Dunfmore on, with Yendon, then clear Tain, 
That comes alone to Dove) of which, Hanfe one would be. 
And for himfelf he fain of Manyfold would free 
(Thinking this amorous nymph by fome means to beguile) 
He clofely under earth conveys his head a while. 
But, when the river fears fome policy of his. 
And her beloved Hanfe immediately doth mifs, 



9o8 ? L r-O L B I O N: 

Diftraftcd in her courfe, inprovidendy rafli. 
She oft ^ainft the clecfs her cryftal front doth dafli : 
Kow forward, then ag^in (he backward leems to bear ; 
As, like tolofe her felf by fb^gling here and there. 

Hanfe, that this while fupposM him quite out of her fight. 
No fooner thrufts his head into the cheerful light. 
But Manyfold that ftill the run-away doth watch. 
Him (ere he was aware) about the neck doth catch : 
And, a^ the angry Hanfe would fain her hold remove. 
They ftruggling tumble down into their lord, the Dove. 

Thus though th'induftrious mufe hath been imploy'd fo 
long, 
Yet is flie loth to do poor little Smeftal wrong. 
That from her Wilfrune*s fpring near Hampton plies, to 

pour 
The wealth (he there receives, into her friendly Stowr. 
Nor (hall the little Bourn have caufe the mufe to blame. 
From thefe StafFordian heaths that ftrives to catch the Tame : 
Whom Ihe in her next fong fhall greet with mirthful cheer. 
So happily arriv'd now in her native fliire. 

ILLUSTRATIONS. 

TAKING her progrefs into the land, the mafe comes fouthward 
£rom Chefliire into adjoining Stafford, and that part of Shrop- 
ihire which lies in the Engli^ fide eaft from Severn. 

Jnd into kjfer fireams the fpatious current cuL 

In that raging devaftation over thu kingdom by the Danes, they 
had gotten divers of their ihips fraught wiu provifion out of Thames i 
into t}[ie, river Lty (which divides Middlefex and ££ex) fbine twenty ' 
miles from London ; Alfred holding his tents near that territory, efped- 
slly to prevent their fpoil of the infbnt harveft, obferved that by dividing 
the river, then navigable between them and Thames, their (hips would be 
grounded, and themfelves bereft of what confidence their nayy had 
promifed them. He thought it, and did it, by parting the water into 
three channels. The Danes betook themfelves to flight, their fhips 
left as a prey to the Londoners. 

Her Lories imbraces vow'djhe never more would know. 

This Alurcd left his fon |?4v^T^ faccefTor, and^ ^ong other children, 



SONG THE TWELFTH. 909 

this £]fled»or Ethdfled his daughter, married to Ethehred earl of Merc- 
IjukL Of Alfred^s worth and troublous ralgn, becaufe here the author 
)eaves him, I offer you thefe of an ancient Engliih wit : 

Nohiiitas innata tibi froUtaiis honorem 
Armipotens Alfrede dedit^ probiiajque labonm 
Ptrpetuumque lahr nomen. Cut mixta dokri 
Gaudia femper erant^ Jpes fempermxia timori. 
Si modo *viSor eras, ad craftina MUtfanehu : 
Si tnod9 'viSus eras^ ad craftina lalla par abas, 
Cui njefies fudorejugi^ ctdficca eruort 
^inBajugi^ quanium ftt onus regnareproiarunt, 

Jluntlngdon cites tbefe as his own ; and if he deal plainly with us (f 
doubted it becaufe his MS. epigrams, which make in ibme copies thfe 
eleven and twelve of his hiftory, are of moft different drain, and 
feem made when Apollo was either angry, or had not Icifure to overiook 
them) he fhews his mufe (as alio in another written by him upon Edgar, 
beginning ^«^#r 0//yxv, 'uindex fcekrum^ larptwr hmorum^ £^r.) in that 
ilill declining time of leaming^s ftate, worthy of nrach precedence. Of 
Ethelfled in William of Mdmefbury, is the Latin ot this ^nglifh : 
^ She was the love of the ihbjed, fear of the enemy, a woman of a 
^' mighty heart ; having once endur*d the grievous pains of child-birth^ 
** ever afterward denied her hu(band thofe fweeter defires ; proteffing, 
'^ that yitldmg indulgence towards a jrfeafure, having fo much conie- 
f' quent pain, wa$ unfeemly in a king^s daughter.** She was buried at 
S. Peter's in Gloce^er ; her name loaden by monks with numbers of 
her excellencies* ' 

For Confiantine their king^ an bojiage hither br ought * 

After he had taken Wal^ and Scotland (as our Hiftorians fay) firom 
Howel, Malmefbury calls him Ludwal, and Conffantine ; he reftored 
prefently their kingdoms, affirming, ■ that it was more for his Majefty 
to make a king than be one. The Scotifli * ffories are not agreeing, 
here, with ours; againft whom Buchanan ibrms, for affirming 
lyhat I fee not how he is fo well able to confute, as they to joflify. 
And for matter of that nature, I rather fend you to the col* 
kdions in Edward the firft, by Thomas of Waliingham, and thence 
for the lame and other to Edward Hall's Hen. VIII. 

A Nfptune^ whofe proud fails the britijb Ocean fwept. 

That flower and delight of the Englifh world, in whofe birth- time 
S. Dunffan (as is faid) at Glaftenbury heard this angelical voice ; 

$0 liiolp Ciiuri$ an( to t]|s %tfi jfajs^ M jflfo^t anti lii^ 
iB^jf tHuiKs CUto*^ fim«, tuac noutHe slbo^s i0. 

_ (among 

a HiSer Bcttb. lil, 22, ^ Bndtsfutn^ b Rob, Gioctfre^f.Bifl, ^ nj, ^^^ 



910 POL r-0 L B I N: 

(among his other innumerable b(mefits, and royal c;)res) had a navy 
of < 3600 fail ; which by tripartite diviiion in theeail, weft, and nor« 
them coafts, both defended what was fubjed to pirates rapine^, and fo 
made firong his own nation ag^nfl the enemies invafion. 

By civil Jiepdame' s bate to death waslajtly done. 

Edgar had by one woman (his greateft (lalns fhewM themfelves in 
this variety and unlawful obtaining of luftful fenfuality , as (lories will tell 
you, in that of earl Ethelwald, the nun Wulfrich, and the young lafs of 
Andover) caird Egelfled, furnamed £ned, daughter to Odmer a great 
nobleman, Edward ; and by queen Eifrith, daughter to Orgar earl of 
Devonlhire, Ethelred of fome feven years age at his death. That, 
EgelBed was a profeft ^ Nun, fome Have argued, and fb make Ethelred 
the only legitimate heir to the crown : nor dp I think that, except Alfrith« 
lie was 9iarried to any of ^& ladies, on whom he got children. Edward 
was anointed king (for in thote days was that uie of anointing among 
the Saxon pring^Sj^ and began in king Alfred) but not without diflikiog 
grudges of his ilepmother*s fadion, wnich had neverchelefs in fubftancei, 
what his vain name only of king pretoided : but her bloody hate, bred 
out of womanjifh ambition, flraining to twtry point of foveraignty, not 
thus fatisfied, compellM in her this cruelty. King Edward not lufpeding 
her diiTembledpurpofes, with iimple kindnef^ of :an open nature, weary*d 
After the chaie in Purbeck iHe in Dorfetfhire, without guard or atten- 
dance, viiits her at Corfe Callle ; ihe under fweet words and faluting 
•kiiles, palliating her helliih deiign, entertains him : but while Jie bieing 
vtry hot and thirfty (without imagination of treafon) was in pledging 
her, (he, « or one of her appointed fervants, flabb*d the innocent king. 
His corps, within a little ipace expiring its lalt breach, was buried at 
Wareham, thence afterward by Alfer earl of Merdand tranflated into 
Shafcfbury, which (is to the fecond fong I note) was hereby for a time 
called ^ bt Edward's. Thus did his brother in law Ethelred (according 
to Wicked Elfrith's cruel and traiterous projeft) fucceed him. As, of 
Conilantine Copronymus, the Greeks, fo, of this Ethelred, is affirmed, 
that, in his holy tin^ure he abusM the font with natural excrements, 
which made St. Dunftan, then chriftening him, angerly exclaim, Ptr 
Deum i^ Matrem ejus, ignavus homo erit. Some ten years of age was 
he, when his brother Edward was IJain, and, out of chjldilh alFcdlion, 
wept for him bitterly ; which his motlier extremely difliking, being 
author of the murther only for his fdke, moll cruelly beat him her feif 
With 2 a handful of wax 



- Cantlen long ant tf toe 



h 9eo ne h\\t\it\^ nc0ljt ar ^e lai? at Dir » \)ct pfwctoc : 
Wtxx tijom tW c|)tlD aftenoarb fucli De? mon a^ iie voa^ 
H>R^ t{>e too^fe toan [je k pfcp CanDlcn Uoj t!|i^ c«?. 

c r But 

c Some fay ciD. ci:>. cio. cid. fMalmesb, lib. de Pontifc, %, 



d Ex Oiberno in Vita Dunjian, ¥cx, Ec* 
dtf. ttft. 4. 

"c Vi(ft Malmtxb, lib, a. w*. ^ & Him^ 
titrdoij'iji, c. 



g Rob. Ghceftrenfi, 
h Shce. 

' i Fret \n woe* 
k Sdi^. 



song: THE TWE.LTTH. 911 

Bat I KaTC ^ read it affirmed, that Ethelred never would endure tny wax 
cuidlesy becaofe he had feen his mother unmercifully with them whip 
the good St. Edward. It's not worth one of the candles, which be the 
truer ; I incline to the iirft. To expiate all, fhe afterwahi built two 
Nunneries, one at Werwe), the other at Ambrefbury ; and by all means 
of penitence and fatisia£don (as the dodrinc then direded) endeavoured 
her freedom out of this horrible offence. 

jindtn one night the throats' of all the Danijh cut. 

HiHory , not this place, mufl inform the reader of more particulars 
of the DanQ ; and let hfm fee to the firfl fong. But, for thb flaughter, 
I thus eafe his inquifition. Ethelred (after multitudes of miieries, long 
continued through their exadions and devaflations, being fo large, that 
iixtcen (hires had endured their cruel and even conquering fpoils) in the 
twenty third .year of his reign, flrengthened with provoking hopes, 
groiuided on' alliance, which, by marriage with Emnja, daughter of 
Richard I. duke of Normandy, he had with his neighbour potentate* 
fent privy letters into every place of note, whe]:e the Danes by truce 
peacemUv refided, to the Englifli, commanding them, all as one, on 
die felf-fame day and hour appointed (the day was St Briflius, that is, 
the thirteenth oir November) iuddeniy to put theih, as re(pe6live occa- 
fion beft fitted, to fire or fWord ; which was performed. 

A CHRONOLOGICAL Order and Defceatofthe Kings here 
included in Wrekin's ibng. 

YearofChrift. 

8qo. . Egbert fim to Tnegild (others call him Alhmand) grand- 
• child to king Ine. After ^ him fcarce any, none long, 
had the name of king in the iflfc, but governors or 
earis ; the common titles being Duces, Cornices* Con- 
futes, and (uch like ; which in fome writers after the 
conqueH were indifferent names, and William theL 
is on^n called Earl of Normandy. 

836. Ethelulph fon to Egbert. 

S55. .Ethelbaid and Ethelbert, fons to Ethelulph, dividing 
their kingdom, according to their father's tefhunent. 

860. Ethelbert alone, after Ethelbald's death. 

866. Ethelred, third Ton of Ethelulph. 

87 J. Alfred youngeff Ton to Ethelulph, brought up at Rome ; 
and there, in Ethelred's life time, anointc<f by Pope " 
Leo the IV. as in ominous hope of hb future king* 
dom. 

901 • 

1 P^it, S* Edwardi apud Uamilpb. Crfl. . kin^s of WeftTcx, although in Seigniory fas 
lih, 6. j it were) or, as the Civ-Ji^ns call ir, Diredf 

m See to the laft fong before. Bfcanfe in | Proptrty, all the other Provinces (except 
Wcftfffx all the reft were at laft confound- I fome Northern, and what tt^ DvMa '^-« 
ed. Thsfc are moft i^maiQnly wmtea juftlypoCfcft) Wu\iivw^ 



giz POL T'Oi L Bia Ni 

QOi. Edwafdthel. furnajncd in ilory Senior, foD to Aifred; 

^z^ Ariielftftn, elded: Ton to Edward; by Egwine a ihepherd's 
daoghur; but» to whom beauty, and noble fpirit de- 
nied, what baie yiarcntage. required; She, before the 
king lay with her, dreats^d (you remember that of 
Olympian, as mdoy fach; like) that out of her womb 
did (bine a moon, enlightning all England, which in 
her birth (Athclftan) provM true. 

940. Edmund the i. fon of ^ Edward by his queen Edgive. 

946. Edred brother to Edmund. 

9^5. Edwy firft fon of Edmund. 

959. Edgar (fecond Ton of Edmund) Hsnor ac Delicia Angbrum. 

975. Edward the II. fon to Edgar by Egelfied, murthered by 
his ftepmother Alfrith, and thence caird St. Edward. 

979. Ethelred the il« fon to Edgar, by queen Alfiith, 
daughter to Orgar earl of Devonfhire. 

1016. Edmund the II. Ton to Ethelred by his firft wife ElfgiV^. 
ftirnamcd Ironiide. 

Between htm and Cnut (or Canutus) the Dane, ion to Swane, waa[ 
that 'intended fingle combat ; fo by their own particular fortunes to end 
the miferies, which the Englifh foil bore recorded in very, great cha- 
tirftei^, written with ftreams of her childrens blood. It properly here 
WeaksoiF; for (the compofition being, that Edmund fliould have his 
part Weftfex, Ellfex, Eftangle, Middlefex, Surrev, Kent, and Suflcx, 
and the Dane (who durfl not fight it out,^ bpt firft movM for a treaty) 
Mercland and the Northern territories.) Edmund died the iame year 
(ibme report was, that traiterous Edrique Streona earl of Mercland 
potfoned him) leaving fons Edmund and Edward : but they were, 
hf Daniih ambition, and trayterons perjury of the unnatural Engliih 
wre, difinherited, and aU the kingdom caft under Cbut. After him 
laigiiM his (on Harold I. Lightfoot, a (hoemaker's o ion (but difTembled, 
aa. begotten by him on his queen Al%ive:) then, with Harold, Hard- 
cnut, whom he had by his wife Emma, king Ethelred's dowager. So 
tkat from Edmund, of Saxon Uood (to whofe glory Wrekin hath dedi- 
cated his endeavor; and therefore ihonld tranfcend his pnrpofe, if he 
exceeded their empire) until Edward the ConfeiTor, following Hardcnut, 
fto to Ethelred, by the fame queen Emma, the kingdom coptinued un- 
^-Daniih princes. 

B Mali, tnim & ittrpti Fennumdi fequax \ dredum Mtbetftancfcribit fro^ratet, 
Bnt9r HitBMth, li^, ji. jui Ed* d^ E- I o Marian, Scot, & Flonnt. H^igom^ 



POLT" 



[ 9^3 ] 



P LT-O L B I O N; 

The THIRTEENTH SONG. 

The Ahoument. 

^his Jhf^ our Jbire of JFarwitk founds ; 
Revives oUArierfs anient bounds. 
Through manyfhapes the mufe here roves ; 
Now fporting in thofe fbadf groves^ 
The tunes of birds oft fiays to hear: 
Then finding herds of btfiy deer^ 
She huntr^S'like the huHpurfues ; 
And like a hermit walks^ to chufe 
Thejimples every where that grow \ 
-Comes Ancor^s glory next tofhow 5 
Tells Guy of WarwicJC s famous deeds 5 
To tVvaU of Red'horfe then proeeds^ 
To play her part the refi among \ 
There fhutteth up her thirteenth fong. 

UPON the mid-lands now th'induftrious mufe doth 
fall ; 
That flure which we the * heart of England well may call. 
As Ihe herfelf extends (the midft which is decreed) 
Betwixt St.Michaers mount, and Barwick-bord'ring Tweed, 
Brave Warwick 5 that abroad fo long advanced her * bear, 
$. By her illuftrious earls renowned every where ; 
Above her neighbouring (hires which always bore her head. 
My native country then^ which fo brave fpirits haft bred^ 

• Wtrwickfliire is the middle 1 ^ The ancient coat of that earl* 
ihire of finsland, f dom. 



914 P O LT^O L B 10 N: 

If there be virtue yet remaining in thy earthy 
Or any good of thine thou bred" ft into my birth^ * 

Accept it as thine own;, whiJftnow IJngoftjbee ; 
Of all thy later brood tVunworthieft though I be. 

Mufe, firfl: of x^rden tell, whofe foot-fteps "" yet are found 
In her rough wood lands more than any other ground, 
§. That mighty Arden held even in her height of pride j 
Her one hand touching Trent, the other, Severn's fide. 

The very found of thefe, the wood-nymphs doth awake : 
, When thus of her own felf the ancient fbreft fpake ; 

* My many goodly fitcs when firft I came to (how, 

* Here o|)ened I the way to mine own overthrow : 

* For when the world found out the fitnefs of my foil, 

* The gripple wretch began immediately to IpoU 

^ My tall and goodly woods, and did my grounds inclofe : 

* By which, in litde time my bounds I came to lofe. 

* When Britain firft her fields with villages^ had fiU'd, 
« Her people we3dng ftill, and wanting where tq build, 

* They oft diflodg*d the hart, and fet their houfes, where 

* He in the broom and brakes had long time made his ley re. 
« Of all the forefts here within this mighty ifle, 

* If thofe old Britons then me foveraign did inflile, 

* I needs muft be ihe great'ft ; for greatnefs 'tis alone 

* That gives our kind the place : elfc were there many a one 

* For pleafantnefs of fhade that far doth me excel. 

* But of our forcft's kind the quality to tell, 

* We equally partake with wood-land as with plain, 

* Alike with hill and dale ; and every day maintain 

^ The fundry kinds of bcafts upon our copious waftes, 

* That men for profit breed, as well as thofe of chafe/ 

Here Arden of her felf ceas'd any more to (how •, 
And with her fylvan joys the mufe along doth go. 

When Phoebus lifts his head out of the winter's wave. 
No fooner doth the Earth her flowery bofom brave. 
At fuch time as the year brings on the pleafant fpring. 
But hunts-up to the morn the fcath'red fylvans (ing : 

And 

« Divers towns expreffing her | ton in Arden, &:c. 



SONG THE THIRTEENTH. 915 

And in the lower grove, as on the rifing knole. 
Upon the lugheft ^ray of every mounting pole, 
Thofe qmrifters are percht with many a fpeckled breaft. 
Then from her burnifht gate the goodly glitt'ring eaft 
Gilds every lofty top, which late the humorous night 
Befpangled had with pearl, to pleafe the mormng*s fight : 
On which the mirthful quires, with their clear open throats. 
Unto the joyful morn fo ftrain their warbling notes. 
That hills and vallies ring, and even the echoing air 
Seems all composed of founds, about them every where. 
The throftel, with fhrill (harps ; as purpolely he long 
T'awake the luftlefs fun -, or chiding, that fo long 
He was in coming forth, that fhould the thickets thrill : 
The woofel near at hand, that hath a golden bill ; 
As nature him had markt of purpofe, t'let us fee 
That from all other birds lus tunes (hould different be : 
For, with their vocal founds, they (ing to pleafant May } 
Upon his * dulcet pipe the merle doth only play. 
When in the lower brake, thmightingale hard-by. 
In fuch lamenting ftrains the joyful hours doth ply. 
As though the other birds ihe to her tunes would draw. 
And, but that nature (by her all-conftraining law) 
Each bird to her own kind this feaion doth invite. 
They elfe, alone to hear that charmer of the night, 
(The more to ufe their ears) their voices fure would fpare. 
That moduleth her tunes fo admirably rare. 
As man to iet in parts at firft had leam'd of her. 

To philomel the next, the linet we prefer 5 
And by that warbling bird, the wood-lark place we then. 
The red-fparrow, the nope, the red-breaft, and the wren. 
The yeUow-pate : which though (he hurt the blooming tree. 
Yet fcarce hath any bird a finer pipe than Ihe. 
And of thefe chaunting fowls, the goldfinch not behind. 
That hath fo many forts defcending from her kind. 
The tydy for her notes as delicate as they, 
The laughing hecco, then the counterfeiting jay. 
The fofter with the (hrill (fome hid among the leaves. 
Some in the taller trees, fome in the lower greaves) 

O o o Thus 

f Of ill birds, 011I7 Ac Uackbird whiftMbL. 



940 P O Lr-O I, B IQ Ni 

Thus fing away the mqm, until the mounting fun. 
Through thick exhaled fogs his golden head hath run» 
And' through the twifted tops of our clofe covert creeps 
To Isiis thq gentle (hade, this while that fweetly fleeps. 

And near to thefe our thicks, the wild and frightful Itprds, 
Npt hearing other noife but this of chattering birds, 
Feedf^rly on the lawns ; both forts of feafon'd deer: 
Here walk fhc ftately red, the freckled fallow there : 
The bucks aqd lufty (tags amongft the raicals ftrew'd. 
As fometime gallant fpirits amongft the multitude. 

Of all the beafts which we for our * venerial name, 
The hart anK)ngft the reft, the hunter's nobleft game : 
Of which moft princely chafe fu}i none did ere report. 
Or by defcription touch, t*cxprefs that wondrous fport 
(Yet might have well befeem'd th'ancients nobler fonga) 
To our old Arden here, moft fitly it belongs : 
Yet fhall ihe not invoke the mufes to her aid i 
But thee, Diana bright, a goddefs and a maid : 
In many a huge-grown wood, and many a &ady grovc,| 
Which oft haft born thy bow (great huntrefs, us'd to rpve) 
At many a cruel beaft, and with thy darts to pierce 
The lyon, panther, ounce, the bear, and tigrc fierce > 
And following thy fleet game, chafte mighty foreft^quwi» 
With thy dilhevcl'd nymphs aturM in youthful grecn» 
About die lawns haft fcowr'd, and waftes both fiif and 

near. 
Brave huntrefs : but no beaft Ihall prove thy quarrie$k here i 
Save thofe the beft of chafe, the tall and li^ red. 
The ftag for goodly ihape, and ftatelinefs of hc^ 
Is fitt'ft to hunt at force. For whom, when with hi^ homdv 
The labouring hunter tufts the t;hick ujnbarbed gro^nd$ 
Where harbor'd is the hert ; there often from his feed 
The dogs of him do find ; or thorough fldlful heed. 
The huntfman by hi& ^ flot» or breaking earth, percdyeSfc 
Or entring of the thick by prefling of the greaves. 
Where he had gone to lodge. Now when the hart doth 

hear 
The often-bellowing hounds to vent his fecret leir. 

He 

'Ofbantingf ocdiaiL ^ f iTiie. track of the fbot. 



SONG THE THIktEEJlTH. 917 

HerouzingrufheEhour, and through the brakes doth drive. 
As though up by the roots the bulhes he would rive. 
And througli the cumb'rous thicks, as fearfully he m^es. 
He with his branched head the tender faplings fhakes. 
That fprinkting their moift pearl do feem for him to weep ; 
When after goes the cry, with yellings loud and deep. 
That all the foreft rings, and every ne^hbouring place : 
And there is not a hound but falleth to the chale. 
* Rechating with his horn, which then the hunter chears, 
Whilft ftill the lufty ftag his high-palm'd head Up-bears, 
His body fhowing ftate, with unbent knees upn^iti 
Expreifing (from all be^) his courage in his flight. 
But when th*approaching foes ffill foltowing he perceives^ 
That he his fpeed muft truft, his ufual walk he leaves 5 
And o^er the champain flies : which wherf th^aflTembly fih<if, 
Each fellows, as his horfe were footed with the wind; 
Buc bring then imboft, the noble ftately deer 
When he hath gotten ground (the kennel caft ar rear) 
Doth beat the brooks and ponds for fweet rcfrefhtng SoQ 1 
That fcfrving no^^ then proves if he his fecnt can foil^ 
And makes amongfl: the herds^ and flocks of fliag-wtelM 

fheep. 
Them frighting from the guard ofthofe who had their keep. 
But when as all his fliifrs Ms fafety ftill denies^ 
Fuc quite out of his walk, the ways and iklknrs trieft; 
Whom when the plow-man meets, Ws team he leoteth ftand 
T'afl&il him with his goad : fo with his hook in handy 
The Ihepherd him purfues, and to his dog doth haloW J 
When, with tempeftuous fpeed, the hounds and huhtfiftfti 

follow ; 
Until the noble deer through toil bereav'd of ftrengtll^ 
His long and finewy legs then failing him at lengthy 
The villages attempts, enr^d, not giving way 
To any thing he meets now at his fed decay* 
The cruel ravenous hounds and bk)ody hunter* rietf ^ 
This nobleft beaft of chafe, that vainly doth but fear, 
Some bank or quick- fet finds : to which Ws haunch opposMj 
He turns upon his foes^ that foon havti him iij^ctoiS'd. 

Oooa the 

> One of tlie ineafuret in winding tiiftbiMi.^ 



9i8 POL r-0 L B I N: 

The churlifli-throated hounds then holding him at bay, 
And as. their cruel fangs on his harlh (kin they lay. 
With his fharp-pointed head he dealeth deadly wounds. 

The hunter, coming in to help his wearied hounds, 
He defperatelyaflails ; until oppreft by force. 
He who the mourner i& to his own dying corfe. 
Upon the ruthleis earth his ^ precious tears lets fall. 

To forefts that belongs-, but yet this is not all : 
With Iblitude what forts, that here's not wond*rous rife ? 
Whareas the hermit leads a fweet retired life, 
Froni villages repleat with ragg'd and fweating clowns^ 
And from the lothfome airs of fmoky-dtied towns. 
Suppofe twixt noon and night, the fun his halfway wrought 
(The fha4ows to be large, by his defcending brought) 
.Who with a fervent eye looks through the twyring glades. 
And his difperfed rays commixeth with the fliades. 
Exhaling the milch dew, which there had tarried long) 
And on the ranker grafs till paft the noon-fted hung j 
When as the hermit comes out of his homely * cell. 
Where from all rude refort he happily doth dwell : 
Who in the ftrength of youth, a man at arms hath been i 
Or one who of this world the vilencfs having feen. 
Retires tum from it quite ; and with a conftant mind 
Man's beaftlinefs fo loaths, that flying human kind. 
The black and darkfome nights, the bright and gladfome 

days 
IndiflFerent gre to him, his hope on God that ftays. 
Each Utde village yields his (hort and homely fare : 
To gather wind-fall'n (licks, his great'ft and only qare •, 
Which every aged tree ftill yicldeth to his lire. 

This man, that is alone a king in his defire. 
By no proud ignorant lord is bafely over-aw'd. 
Nor his falfe praife afFeds, who grofly being claw'd, 
Stands like an itchy moil •, nor of a pin he weighs 
Wha( fools, abufed kings, and humorous ladies raile. 

His 



k The hart weepeth at his dying : 
his tears are hdd to be precious in 
medicine. 



' Hermits have oft had their 
abodes by ways that ly through 
forefts. 



SONG THE THIRTEENTH. 919 

His free and noble thought, ne'er envies at the grace ' 
That often-times is ^ven unto a bawd ihoft bafe. 
Nor ftirs it him to think on the in^flDr vile. 
Who Teeming what he's not, doth fenfualiy bqguile 
The fottifh purblind world : but aWblutely free. 
His happy time he fpends the works of God to fee. 
In thofe fo fundry herbs which there in plenty grow : 
Whofe fundry ftrange effefts he only feeks to know. 
And in a litde maund, being made of oziers fmall. 
Which ferveth him to do fuU many a thing withalJ, 
He very choicely forts his fimples got abroad. 

Here finds he on an Oak rheum-purging polypode ; 
And in fome open place that to the fuii doth iy. 
He fumitory gets, and eycrbright for the eye j 
The yarrow, wherewithal! heftops the wound-made gMe 1 
The healing tutfan then, and plantane for a fore; 
And hard by them again he holy vervain finds, 
Whicli he about his head that hath the megrim tunds. 
The wonder-working dill he gets not far from thefe. 
Which curious women ufe in many a nice difeale. 
For them that are with newts, or fnakes, or adders ftung^ 
He feeketh out an herb that's called adders-tongue ; 
As nature it ordain' d^ its own Uke hurt to cure. 
And ijportive did hef felf to niceties inure. 
Valerian then he crops, and purpofely doth damp, 
T'apply unto the pl^ that's haled with the cramp ; 
As centory, to dofe the widenefs of a wound; 
The belly hurt by birth, by mugwort to make found. 
His chickweed cures the heat that in the face doth rii^ : 

For phyfick, fome again he inwardly applies* 
For comforting the fpleen and liver, gpts for juke 
Pale hore-hound, which he holds of mod efpecial ufe. 
So iaxifrage is good, and harts^tongue for theftone. 
With agrimony, and that herb we <;all St. John. 
To him that hath a flux, of fhepherds-purfe he gives. 
And moufe-car unto him whom fome (harp rupture grieves.^ 
And for the laboring wretch that's troubled with a cough. 
Or ftopping of the breath, by phl^^m that^s hard and tou^, 

6003 Cam!- 



9»9 P O I r^O L B 10 Ni 

Camp^na here he crops, approved wondrous good : 
Ascomfrey unto him that's bruifed, fpitting blood; 
And from the falling-ill, by five-leaf doth reftorc. 
And melancholy cures by Kiveraign hellebore. 

Of thefe moft helpful herbs yet tell we but a few. 
To thofc unnumbred forts of fimples here that grew. 
Which juftly to fct down, even ^ Dodon (hort doth fall ; 
Nor Ikilfol ^ Gerard, yet, fhall ever find them all. 

But ftom our hermit here the mufc we muft inforce. 
And z^^ooRy proceed in our intended courfe : 
How Ardejn of her rills and riverets doth difppfe ; 
By Alccftcr how Aln to Arro cas'ly flows j 
And mildly being cpixt^ to Avon hold their way : 
And likewife toward the north, how lively-tripping Rhea, 
^'attend the* luftier Tame, is from her fountain fent: 
So little Cole and Blyth go on with him to Tient. 
His Tamworth at the laft, he in his way doth win : 
There playi(}g him a while, till Ancor fhould come in, 
Which^triflcth twixt her banks, obfcrving ftate, fo flow, 
As tliough ineo his arms Ihe fcorn'd herfclf to throw : 
Yttt Ardcn wiUM her Tame to fcrve ^ her on his knee •, 
For by that nymph alone, they both fhould honpr'd be. 
^ The foreft, ib much fall'n from what (h^ was before. 
That to her former height fate could her not rcftore -, 
Though oft in, her behalf, the genius of the land 
]mpon;ua'd.the heavens with an aufpicious hand. 
Yet granted at the laft (the aged nymph to grace) 
They by a lady S birth would more renown that p}ace. 
Than ii her woods their heads above the hills fliould feat ^ 
And for thai: pufpofe, firft made Coventry fo great 
(A poor thatqht viUagp then» or fcarcely none at all. 
That could noi; once have dream'd of her now ftately wall) 
§. And thither wifely b(ipug^t that goodly virgin-band, 
Th'eleven thouland maids, chafte Urfula's command. 
Whom then the Britain kings gave her full power to preKs, 
Eor matchea to dieir fiiends in Britany the lefs. 
At wbofe departure thence^ each by her juit beqMeft 
Spipo &6cialf Ttrtueg^ve^ ordwungic to refb 

With 
^ 72tfjattosoftWD£uBOiishcibili. ^ Anw. 



SON€ THE THIRTEENtH. 921 

With one of their own fcx, that there her birth Ihpuld have, 
Till fulnefi of the rime wMch fate did choicely fave 
Until the Saxons reign, when Coventry at lengths 
From her fmall, mean regard, recovered ftate and ftrength, 
$• By Leofrick her lord yet in bafe bondage held. 
The people from her marts by tollage who expeU'd : 
Whofe duchefs, which dtffir'd this tribute to releafe. 
Their freedom often begg'd. The duke, to make her ceafe. 
Told her, that if (he would his lofs fo far inforce, 
His will was, (he flioutd ride ftark nak't upon a horfc 
By day-light through the ftrect : which certainly he thoughfi| 
In her hcroick brtaft {o deeply would have wrought. 
That in her former fute ftie would have left to deal. 
But that moft princely dame, as one devburM mxh zeal. 
Went on, and by that mean the city clearly freed. 

The firft part of wbafe namiy Godiva^ doth fore-reei 
^Vfirfi fyllabU of birs, and Goidere half doth found \ 
For fy agreeing words^ great matters have been found. 
Rut farther than this place the rn^fi'ery extends. 
What Arden had hegun^ in Ancor laffly ends : 
F^r in the Britifh tongue^ the Britons c^uld not find^ 
Wherefore to her that name of Ancor was affigiCdi 
Nor yet the Saxons Jince^ nor times to come badknofvn^ 
But that her being tfete was by this name fore-fiown^ 
As propbecying her. For^ as thefrft did tell 
Berfir-name^ fo again doth Ancor lively fpetl 
Her chriji'ned title Anne. And as tbofe virgins there 
Didfan^ify that place: fo bofy Edith here 
A rechfe long timi Itv'd^ in that fair abbey plac^d^ 
IVhich Alured enricbt^ and Po^lfxvorth highly graced, 
A princefs being borttj andahbefs^ with tbofe maidsj 
All noble like her fitf^ in bidding of their beads 
Their bolinefs beqUXdfVd upon her to, defcend 
Which there fhouii afi& live : in whofe dear felfjb^utd end 
7'bUntent of Ancor" s name^^ her coming that decree^ . 
jis hers (her place flfi\tti)fair Coventry that freei. 

But whilft about this tale fmooth Ancor trifling fiays. 
Unto the luftier T«m as loth to^comc hflr waqrsr 

OdQ 4 The- 



922 POL r^O L B 10 N: 

Thcfloodintrcatsherthus;*pear brook, why doft thou wrong 

* Our mutual love fo much, and tedioufly prolong 

* Our mirthful marriage-hour, for which I ftill prepare ? 

* Hafte to my broader banks, my joy and only care. 

* For as of all my floods thou art the firft in fame ; 

* When frankly thou (halt yield thine honour to my name, 

* I will proteft thy ftate : then do not wrong thy kind. 

* Whatplcafure hath the world, that here thou nuy'ftnot 

*find?* 
Hence, mufe, divert thy courfe to Dunfmore, by that " 

crofs 
Where thofe two mighty " ways, the Watling and the Fofe, 
Our center feem to cut. (The firft doth hold her way. 
From Dover, to the farth'ft of fruitful Anglefey : 
Thcfecond fouth and north, from Michael's utmoft ?pount. 
To Cathnefs, which the farth'ft of Scotland we account.) 
And then proceed to (how, how Avon from her fpring. 
By • Ncwnham's fount is Weft ; ah,dhow(he, blandiflung^ 
By Dunfmore drives along. Whom Sow doth firft afHft, 
Which takcth Shirburn in, with Cune, a great while mife'd 5 
Though ^ Coventry firon^ thence "h^r name at firft did raife. 
Now florifhing with fanes, and proud piramides ; 
Her walls in good repair, lier ports fo bravely built. 
Her halls in good eftate, her ^roifs fo richly gilt. 
As fcorning all the towns that ftand within her view : 
Yet muft fte not be griev'tl, that Cune fhpuld claini her 

due. 
Towards Warwick with this train as Avon trips along. 
To Guy-clifF being come, her nymphs thus bravely fong ; 

* To thee, renowned knight, continual praife we owe, 

* And at thy hallow'd tomb thy yearly obits (how 5 

* Whoj thy dear Phillis* name and country to advance, 

* Lcft'ft Warwick's wealthy feat : and (^Ung into France, 
^ At dltj^ from his proud fteed, duke Otton thr^w'ft to 

ground: 

* And with th'invalucd prize of Blanch the beauteous crown'd 

"(Tl?e 

" TheUgl|Ci96,.ii9iN)liBdli>b9| • NondMUR-Wdls. 
the ttidftof £Bgliiia. I p Otherwife, Cune-tre: that is, 

^ Seetothrxvi«ibi^, ' Ithe towa upon Cone. 



SONG THE THIRTEENTH. 925 

* (The Almain emperor's heir) highafts didft there atchievc : 

* As Lovain thou ag^n didft vdiantly relieve. 

* Thou in the Soldan's blood thy worthy fword imbru'dft \ 

* And then in fingle fight, great Amerant fubdu'dft. 
*'Twas thy Herculian hand, which happily deftroy'd 

, * That Dragon, which fo long Northumberland annoyed ; 
i ^ And flew that cruel boar, which wafte our wood-lands Isud^ 

* Whofe tulles turn'd up our tilths, and dens in meadows 

made : 

* Whofe (houlder-blade remains at Coventry till now ; 

* And, at our humble fute, did quell that monftrous cow 
I ^ The paiTengers that usM firom Dunfmore to afiright. 

, * Of all our Englilh (yet) 6 moft renowned knight, 
^ That Colebrond overcam*ft : at whofe amazing fall 

* The Danes removed their camp from Winchefter's ficg'd 

wall. 
, • Thy ftatue Guy-cliff keeps, the gazer's eye to pleafe ; 

* W^rwck, thy mighty arms (thou Englifli Hercules) 

\ ^ Thy ftrong and maffy fword, that never was contBoIl'd : 
^ Whkh, as her ancient right, her caftle (till fhall hold/ ' 
Scarce ended they their fong, but Avon's winding ftream, * 
By Warwick, entertains the Ugh-comple6tion'd Leam : 
And as (he thence along to Stratford on doth ftrain. 
Received! litde Heil the next into her tr^n : 
Then taketh in the Stour, the brook, of all the reft 
Whfch that moft goodly vale of Red-horfe loveth beft ; 

^ A valley that enjoys a very great eftate. 

Yet not fo famous held as fmaller, by her fate : 

I Now, for report had been too partial in her praife. 
Her juft-conceiverf grief, fair Red-horfe thus bewrays ; 
* Shall every vale be heard to boaft her wealth ? and I, . 

* The needy countries hear that with my corn fupply 
I * As bravely as the beft, fliall only I endure 

' * The dull and beaftly world my glories to obfcure j 

* Near waylefi Arden's fide, fith my rerir'd abode 

< Stood quite out of the way from every common road ? 
' Great Eufham's fertil glebe, what tongue hath not extoU'd i 

* As thou^ to her alone beloDgM the ^ gwrit) erf* gold. 



926 



POL r^O L B I O N 

That mighty Arden held 



What is now the Woodland in Warwickfhirc, was heretofore part 
of a larger wild or foreft called Arden. The reliques of whofe name in 
Dene of Monmouthfhire, and that Ariuetma or La Foreft tTArdenne^ by 
Renault and Luxembourg, ihews likelihood of interpretation of the jret- 
ufed Engliih name of Woodland. And, whereas, in old infcriptions, 
^ Diana Nemorenjts^ with other additions, hath been found among the 
Latins, the jikeiecms tobc expreft in an old marble, now in Ital/, 
* graven under Domitian, in part thus : 

DIS. MANIBVS. 

Q, CAESIVS. Q^¥, CLAVD. 

ATILIANVS. SACERDOS. 

DEANAE. ARDVINNAE. 

That comprehcnfive largenefs which this Arden onCc extended (before; 
ruin of her woods) makes the author thus limit her with Serern alod 
Trent. By reafon of this her greatnefs joinM with antiquity, he alfo 
made choice of this place for defcription of the chafe, the Engliih iimples/ 
aird hermit, as you read in him. 

And thither wifely brought that goodly Virgin hand. 

SuHicient judification of making a poem, may be from tradition^ ^ 
which the author here ufcs > but fee to the VII I th. Song, where yott 
have this incredible number of virgins (hip'd at London ; nor (kills jt 
much on which you bellow your faith, or if on neithier. Their requeft 
(as the Genius' prayer) are the author's own iidions, to come to expreis 
the worth of his native foil's city. 

By Leofriqtie her lord, yet in bafe bondage held. 

The enfuinig (lory of this Leofrique and Godiva, was under the COn« 
feflbr. I find it reported in Matthew of Weftminder, that Nuda^ 
tquum afcendens^ erines capitis &f tricat dijjfolvem^ corpus fitum Mum, pr^e* 
ier crura candidiffima, inde <vila'vit. This Leofrique (buried at Coyentry ) 
was earl of Leicefter, not Chefter (as fome ill took it by turning Lege- 
ceflra, being indeed fometimes for Chefler, of old caird urbs legtonusfi, 
as to XL Song already) which is without fcruple IhewM in a ^ charter 
of the roannor of Spalding in Lincohiihire, made to Walgat abbot of 
Crowland, beginhm^ thus : Ego TboraldMs i$ !Stt(6tnAdIt wram nohilif* 
fimo domino meo Leofnco comite Leiceftrise, Cff nobiiiffima comitijfa fua 
domrna Godiva forore mta, & cum eonfenfu Csf bona nsobtntatf domim (^ 
f^»ati mti Comitis Algari primogeniti & b^trtdis eorum, donavi, (fc, 
TTiis Algar fucceeded him $ and, as a fpecial title, govemmenty and 
l^onour^ this earldom was therein among the Saxons fo Angular, that it 

was 

b JTuhrf^ Gcltx^ Thejaur, in Atiu \P*rt. %, UK 3* f<^^» If. 

r Ju/ ^aetdfgn^ ap. raul, Mtml. C^f . \ d In^nlpUt H\jl .Jot ^^^ 



SONG THE THIRTEENTH. 



927 



^was hereditary with a very long pedigree, till the conqaeft, from king 
Ethelbald^s time, above 300 years. In Malmefbury, he is filled earl 
of Hereford ; and indeed, as it feems, had large dominion over mod 
part of Mercland, and was a great protedbr of good king Edward, from 
ambitioas Godwm*s faction. You may note in him, what power the 
otrls of thofe times had for granung, releafing, or impcdng liberties 
and exa^ions, which fmce only the crown hath as infeparably an- 
nexed to it. Nay, fince the Normans, i find that « William Fitz- 
Ofbern, earl of Hereford, made a law in his county, «/ nullus milet 
fro quaiicunfui commijffk piuf fepttm filidis fohat^ which was obferved 
without controverfy in Malmefbury s time ; and I have feen original 
letters of proteAion (a perfect and uncommunicable power royal) by 
that great prince Richard earl of Poiters and Cornwall, brother to Hen. 
III. fent to the fheriff of Rutland, for and in behalf of a nunnery about 
Stanford : and it is well known, that his fucceiTor Edmund left no fmall 
tokens of fuch fapremacy in coniHtutions, liberties, and impofed fubiidiea 
in the ilannaries of Cornwall ; with more fuch like extant in monu- 
mcBts. Bat whatfoever their power heretofore was, I think it ceafed 
with that ^ cuftom of their having the third part of the king's profit in 
the county* which was alfo in the Saxon times ufual, as appears in that } 
a 1m Ipfwich regitia Ede*va duas fortes bahuit Cff comes Guert tertiam 1 
Norwich rif^^A/ XX, libras regs, ^ fomiti X, libras: of the borough rf 
Lewet, its profits erant duas partes regis, tertia comitis\ ^ Oxford red' 
iUat regi XX, libras y ^ fex fextarios mellis, eomiti *vero Algaro X, libras. 
And under king John, GeSrty Fitz-Peter earl of Eflex, and William 
k Marfhall earl of Striguil, ^ Jdminiflrationem fuorum comtatuum babe* 
Am/» faith Hoveden. But time hath, with other parts of government, 
altered all this to what we now ufe. 

^ witnefs of that day we won upon the Danes. 

He means Rollritch-ftbnes in the confines of Warwick and Oxfordihire; 
of which the vulear there have a bibulous tradition, that they are an 
armjr of men, and I know not what great general amongd them, con- 
irerted into ftones : a tale not having his fuperior in the rank of untruths. 
Bat (apon the conceit of a moft learned man) the mufe refers it to fome 
hiXm of the Danes, about the time of RoUo's piracy and incuriion, 
and for her conntxy takes the better fide (as juilifiable as the contrary) 
m affirming the day to the Englifh. But, to fuppofe this a monument 
of that battle' fought at Hochnorton, feems to me in matter of cerr 
taittty not very probable : I mean, being drawn from Rollo*s name : 
ofwhofe flory, both for a paiTage in the laft Song, and here, permit a 
ihort examination. The Norman * tradition is, that he, with divera 
other Danes tranfplanting themfelves, as well for dii{enfion *twixt him 
and his king, as for new feat of habitation, arriv'd here, had fome 

ikirmilhcs 



1 Quil, GemeticenJ. de Ducib, Norm, z, 
eap» 4. & Jeq, He. d» f^aifiiigbam in Hf» 
podig, Neuft. fecundum fuos, in quamtum ad, 
CbfCHolo^dm ratiinem fpefi«t» ficti^ut 



e Malm§Jb* dtgefi, reg, 3. 
f Lib. mettift, M»nafi. dt Bilh ap, C^mbd, 
% Lib, ^OOlffbay f" Scaceario, 
\k7dk,Cartme»J,£pifi, 163. Nied.Vi* 
ttcmiti EJiman 



928 



.P O L r-0 L B 10 Ni 



ikirmifhes with the Eii^lifh, dcfendiog their terrilories; and {bon' after- 
ward being cidmonifliM m a dreaui^ aided and adyifc'd by K. AtheUUA, 
entered Seine in Framje, wafted aud won pnrt of it about Pari*, Btieux, 
elk where; returned upon requcd^ by embuf^^e to aflift the Engliih king 
againll rebels ; and afterward in the ye<<r 91 1 or 12, received hit duke- 
dom of Normandy, and ohrillianity, his name of Robert, with iEgidia 
or Gilla (for wife) daughter to Charleu, furnamcd the Simple s as to 
the IV. Song I have, according to the ciedit of the iiory, touchM it. 
But how came fuch habitude *twixt Athcliian and him. before this 91 2, 
when as it is plain, that Athelflan was not king till 924, or ottur that 
point ? Neither is any concordance *twixt Athelftan anid this Chartef^ 
whofe kingdom was taken from him by Rodulph duke of Burgpuidy, 
two years before our king Edward I. (of the Saxons) died. In the 9^1 
year of whofe reign, falling under 906, was that battle of HochoortDa; 
lb that unlefs the name of Athelibn be miftook for this Edward; or be 
wanting to the dominical year of thofe 22 of the Dionyfian calculaCiGn 
(whereof to the IV. Song] I fee no means to make this ftory ftand with 
itfelf, nor our monks ; in whom (moft of them writing about the Nor« 
man times) more mention would have been made of kollo, anceftor to 
the Conqueror, and his ads here, had they known any certainty of kit 
name or wars : which I rather guefs to have been in our maritime parti, 
than inlands, unlefs when (if that were at all) he aMed Idng Athdftan.. 
Read Frodoard, and tlie old annals of France, written nearer the fap- 
pofed thnes, and you will fcarce find him to have been, oi elfe thne 
under ^ fome other name ; as Godfrey, which fome have conje&rred 
to be the lame with Rollo. You may fee in i£milius what HDcertaiacieB, 
if not contrarieties, were in. Norman traditions of this matter ; audi 
make no queftion, but of that unknown nation fo much iti^fbiking hath 
been of names and times, that fcarce any undoubted truth therein now 
can juflify itfelf. For obferve but what is here deliveitd, and compare it 
with ' them which fay in 898 Rollo was overthrown vet Chartres by Ri- 
chard duke of Burgundy, and Ebalearl of Poiters, aflifting Walzelm* bi- 
ihop of that city ; and, my queftion is. Where have you nope of recoa^ 
filiation? except only in eqmvocation of name; for plainly Haftings, 
Godfrey, Hroruc and others (if none of thefe were the (ame) all Dumi^ 
had to do, and that with dominion in France, about this ag^ ; wherein 
it is further reported, that ^ Robert earl of Paris, and in fome fort a 
king*twixt Charles and Rodulph, gave to certain Normans that had eop 
tered the land at Loire (they fiifl ' entered therein 855) all Little B^ 
tagne and Nants ; and this in 922 which agrees with that ^ of the fiune 
trad to Rollo by Charles, little better than hariheft difcords. And (b 
doth that of RoIIo^ being aided by the En^lifli king, and in league with 
lixm ag^inft the French, with another received truth : which is, that 
Charles was (by marriage with ^ Edgith oF the Engliih king*s loins) fon- 
in-law to Edward, and brother-in-law to Athelllan, in whofe Ppromi^ 

on 



k Ira qui Jam apudP^ EmL hip, Wranc. 
L fMw d» bat rtw'de, Gf P§ljdif. ijijitm 
ffqumctmbtft. ^. 
1 Fiortn, ^ftgem. p. 335. ftT Roger, 



^ 



1x1 Frodojrd, Pretfyt, Amtah franc. 

o Opnim diSa P, Mmiih* 
p JStmbram. vtiij/i, Cwm^^ F!msw^, 
edttt tf P, Piikat. 



SONG THE FOURTEENTH. 929 

on hcr« Lewis (afterward the IV.) was^ while Rodulph of Burgund/ 
hdd the crown. For that unmannerly homage alfo, fpoken of to the 
IV. Song by one of RoUo^s knights, it sa reported by Malmefbory and 
othen, to be done by Rollo himfelf ; and touching that Egidia wife to 
RoUo, the judicious French Hiftoriographer P. Emilius (from whom the 
Italian Polydore had many odd pieces of his beft context) tells clearly, 
that (he was daughter to Lothar king of Romans, and given by his con- 
fin ClMrles the Grois, to Godfrey king of the Normans, with t^iftf 
ticfl (that is, Neuftna) about 886, and imagines that the Norman hi- 
ftorians were deceived by equivocation of name, miftakin^ Charles the 
Simple for Charles the Grofs, living near one time ; as alio, that they 
finding Egidia a king's daughter (being indeed Lothar's) fnppofed her 
Charles the Simple's. This makes me thmk alfo that of Godfrey and 
Rollo hath been like confuiion of name. But both times, reigns and 
pa&nM are lb diilurbed in the dories, that being infufficient to reftiiy 
the contrarieties, I leave you to the liberty of common report. 



POL r-0 L B I O N: 
SONG THE FOURTEENTH. 

Thi Argument. 
Her fundry ftredns the m»fi to frmij 
Nowjings of b$mety country /otar; 
fTba/ pwan tV oii bitdjman Clnt ioth make^ 
For bis coy Wioi-wfuph FecktCbawfs fakt\ 
And^ bow tba wfmphs each other greets 
BHun Avon and brave Severn mM. 
fie vak of Eujkm tben dotb teU^ 
Hoao fair tbe vales do bills esueli. 
Afccndingy next^ fair CotfwoUPs 'plainSy 
She reveL witb tbe fttepberd fuoains ; 
And fe»ds tbe dainty nympbs aswayy 
^Gainji Tame and IJi/ wedding-Jay. 



A 



T l^gch,actain'd choic lands that fauth of Severn Ge^,. . 
As to the varying earth the mufc doth her apply. 



930 ^ POL r-0 L B 10 N: 

Poor (heep-hook and plain goad,flie many rimes doth (bund : 
Then in a bufkin*d ftream, Ihe inftantly doth bound. 
Smooth as the lowly ftream fhe foftly now doth glide : 
And with the mountains ftraight contendcth in her pride. 

Now back again I turii, the land with me to take. 
From the StafFordian heaths as* Stour her courfe doth make. 
Which Clent, from his proud top, contentedly doth view: 
But yet the aged hill, immoderately doth rew 
His loved Feck*nham*s fall, and doth her ftate bemoan ; 
To pleafe his amorous eye, whofe like the world had none. 
For, from her very youth, he (then an aged hill) 
Had to that foreft-nymph a fpecial liking ftill : 
The leaft regard of him who never feems to uke. 
But fufF*reth in herfelf for Salwarp's only fake ; 
And on that river doats, as much as Clent on her. 

Now when the hill perceived the flood fhe would prefer, 
All pleafure he foriakes •, that at the full-bagg*d cow, . 
Or at the curl-fac*d bull, when vcnring he doth low. 
Or at th* unhappy wags which let their cattle ftray. 
At nine-holes on the heath whilft they together play. 
He never feems to fmile ; nor ever taketh keep 
To hear the harmlefs fw^n pipe to his grazing iheep : 
Nor to the carter's tune inwluftling to his team: 
Nor lends his lift*ning ear (once) to the ambling ftream. 
That in the evening calm ag^ft the ftones doth rufh 
With fuch a murmuring nolle, as it would feem to hufh 
The filent meads afleep ; but, void of all delight, ^ 

Remedilefsly drown'd in forrow day and night. 
Nor Licky his ally and neighbour doth refpcdt : 
And therewith being charged, thus anfwereth in eflfefl: : 

• That ^ Lickey to Ws height feem*d flowly but to rife, 

• And that in length and breadth he all extended lies, 

• Nor doth likeodier hills to fudden fliarpnefs mount, 

• That of their kingly kind they fcarce can him account 5 

• Tho' by his fwelUng foil fet in fo high a place, 

• That Malvern's mi^ty felf he feemcth to outface.* 

Whilft Clent and Licky, thus, do both exprefs their pride. 
As Sahftrarpe flips along by Feck'nham's fliady fide. 

That 

' Running by Stonrbridge in Worficrlhire, tomrds Scv^m. 



4 



ISONGthe fourteenth. 931 
That foreft him affedls in wandVing to the * Wych : 
But he; himfelf by falts there feekingto enrich. 
His Feck'nham quite forgets ; from all affe6Kon free. 

But (he, that to the flood moft conftant means to be, 
More prodigally gives her woods to thofe flrong fires 
Which boil the fource to falts. Which Clent fo much ad- 
mires. 
That love, and her difdain, to madnefs him provoke : 
When to the wood-nymph thus the jealous mountain fpoke : 

• Fond nymph, thy twifted curls, on which were all my care, 

* Thou lett'ft the furnace waftc -, that miferably bare 

* I hope to fee thee left, which fo doft me defpife ; 

* Whofe beauties many a morn have blcft my longing eyes: 

* And, till the weary fun funk down unto the weft, 

* Thou ftill my objeft waft, thou once my only beft. 

^ The time ftiall qukkly come, thy groves and pleafant 
fprings, ' 
Where to the mirtlrful merle the warbling mavis fings, 
« The painful labourer's hand ftiall ftock the roots, to burn ; 

* The branch and body fpent, yet could -not ferve his turn. 

* Which when, moft wilful! nymph, thy chance fliall be to fee, 

* Too late thou flialt repent thy fmall regard for me.** 

But Saltwarpe down from Wych his nimbler feet doth 

Great Severn to attend along to Teukft^ury, 
With others to partake the joy that there is fcen, 

f''hen beauteous Avon comes unto her fovereign ^ queen. 
ere down from Eu{ham*s vale, their greatnefs to attend. 
Comes Swilliat fweeping in, which Cotfwold down doth 

fend; 
And Garran there arrives, the great recourfe to fee. 
Where thus together met, with moft delightful glee. 
The chearful nymphs that haunt the valley rank an;i low 
(Where full Pomona feems moft pjcntcoufly to flow. 
And with her fruitery fwells by Perfliore, in her pride) 
Amongft the batfol meads on Severn*s either fide, 

P p p To 

* The fait ffuiUain of WorcclUr-lhire, « Severn. 



932 POL r^O J. B J N: 

To thefe their confluent floods, full bowls of perry brpught : 
Where, to each other's health pad many a deep-fetch*d' 

draught. 
And many a found caroufe from friend to friend doth go. 
Thus whilft the mellowed earth with her own juice doth 

flow. 
Inflamed with excefs the lufl:y pamper'd vale. 
In praife of her great felf, thus frames her glorious tale 5 1 

' I doubt not but Ibme vale enough for us hath faid, 
' To anfwer them that moft with bafenefs us upbraid ; 

* Thofe high prefumptuous hills, which bend their utmoft 

might, ^ 

* Us only to dejeft, in their inveterate fpite : 

* But I would have them think, that I (which am the queen 

* Of all the Britifli vales,^ and fo have ever been 

* Since Gomer*s giant-brood inhabited this ifle, 

* And that of all the reft, my felf may fo enftile) 

* Againft the higheft hill dare put myfelf for place, 

< That ever threatened heaven with the auftcreft face, 
^ And for our praife, then thus ; What fountain fend they 
forth 

* (That finds a river's name, though of the fmalleft worth) 

* But it invales itfelr, and on its either fide ' 

* Doth make thofe fruitful meads, which with their paint- 

ed pride 

* Tmbroider his proud bank ? whilft in lafcivious gyres 

* He fwiftly fallieth out, and fuddcnly retires ^ 

* In fundry works and trails, now (hallow, and then deep, " 
' Searching the fpacious fhores, as though it meant to fweep 

* Their fweets with it away, with which they are repleat. 

* And men, firft building towns, themfelves did wifely feat 

* Still in the bounteous vale : whofe burdened pafture bears 
' The moft abundant fwathe, whofe glebe fuch goodly ears, 

* As to the weighty ftieaf with fey the or fickle cut, 

* When as his hardened hand the labourer comes to put, 
' Sinks him in his own fweat, which it but hardly wields : 

* And on the corn-ftrew'd lands, then in the ftubble fields, 

' There feed the herds of neat, by them the flocks oflheep, 

* / c tkino the fcatt'red corn upon the ridges ftccp : 

* And 



r 



auNG t»« FOURTEENTH. 933 

* And in the furrow by (where Ceres lies much fpill'd) 

* Th* unwieldy larding fwine his maw then having filled, 

* Lies wallowing in the mire, thence able fcarce to rife. 

* When as thofe monftrous hills fo much that us delpife 

* (The mountain, which forfooth the lowly valley mocks) 

* Have nothing in the world upon their barren rocks, 

* But greedy clambering goats, and conies, banifli'd quite 

* From every fertil place ; as rafcals, that delight 

^ In bafe and barren phits, and at good earth repine. 

* And though in winter we to moifture much incline, 

* Yet thofe that be our own, and dwell upon our land, 

* When *twbct their burly ftacks and fuU-ftuft barns diey 

ftand, 

* Into the fofter clay as easMy they do fink, 

* Pluck up their heavy feet, with lighter fpirits, to think 

* That autumn Ihall produce, to rccompence their toil, 

* A rich and goodly crop from that unpleafant foil, 

* And from that envious foe which feeks us to deprave, 

* Though much againft his will this good we clearly have, 

* We ftill are highly prais'd, and honour'd by his height, 

* For, who will us furvey, their clear and judging fight 

' May fee us thence at fall: which clfe thefearcWng'ft eye, 

* By reafon that fo flat and levelled we lie, 

* Could never throughly view, ourlelves nor could we (how. 

* Yet more ; what lofty hills to humble vallies owe, 

* And what high grace they have which near to us areplac*d, 

* In ^ Breedon may be feen, being amoroufly embraced 

* In cindhire of my arms. Who tho* he do not vaunt 

* His head like thofe that look as they would heaven fup- 

plant : 

* Yet let them wifely note, in what exceflive pride 

* He in my bofom fits •, while him on every fide 

* With my delicious fweets and delicates I trim. 

* And when great Malvern looks moft terrible and grim, 

* He with a pleafed brow conrinualjy doth fmile.' 

■ Here Breedon, having heard his praifes all the while. 
Grew infolently proud -, and doth upon Wm take 
Such ftate, as he would feem but fmall account to make 

P p p 2 Of 

' A bill inyironed on tycry fide with tine vale of EuStAm, 



934 P L r-0 L B 10 N: 

Of Malvern, or of Mein. So that the wifcr vale 
To his inftru6kion turns the procefs of her tale. 
T* avoid the greater's wrath, and ihun the meaner's hate. 
Quoth flie, take my advice, abandon idle date ; 
And by that way I go, do thou thy courfe contrive : 
Give others leave to vaunt, and let us clofely thrive. 
Whilft idly but for place the lofty mountains toil. 
Let us have (lore of grain, and quantity of foil. 
To what end ferve their tops (that feem to threat theflcy) 
But to be rent with ftorms ? whilft we in fafety lie. 
Their rocks but barren be, and they which raflily climb. 
Stand moft in envy's fight, the faireft prey for ttme. 
And when the lowly vales arc clad in fummer's green. 
The grilled winter's fnow upon their heads is feen. 
Of all the hills I know, let Mcin thy pattern be : 
Who though his fite be fuch as feems to equal thee. 
And deftitute of nought that Arden him can yield. 
Nor of th* efpecial grace of many a goodly field ; 
Nor of dear Clifford's feat (the place of health and fport) 
Which many a time hath been the mufes quiet port; 
yet brags not he of that, nor of himfclf eftecms r 
The more for his fair fite ; but richer than he feems. 
Clad in a gown of grafs, fo foft and wondrous warm. 
As him the fummer's heat, nor winter's cold can harm. 
Of whom I well may fey, as I may fpeak of thee ; 
From either of your tops, that who beholdeth me, 
To paradife may think a fecond he had found. 
If any like the firft were ever on she ground.' 
Her long and zealous fpeech thusEuQiam doth conclude : 
When ftraight the a6tive mufe induftrioufly purfu'd 
This noble country's praife, as matter ftill did rife. 
For Glo'fter in times paft herfelf did highly prize, 
When in her pride of ftrength (he nourifti'd goodly vines, 
$. And oft her cares repreft with her delicious wines. 
But now, th' all-chearing fun the colder foil deceives, 
§. And us (here tow'ards the pole) ftill falling fouth-ward 

leaves : 
S) that thefuUen earth th* effeft thereof doth prove ; 
According to their books, who hold that he doth move 

From 



SONG THE FOURTEENTH. 935 

From hjis firft zenith's point ; the caufe we feel his want. 
But of her vines depriv'd, now Glo'fter learns to plant 
The pear-tree every where : whofe fruit fhe drains for juice^ 
That her pur'ft perry is, which firft Ihe did produce 
From Wor'fterfhire, and there is common as the fields j 
"Which naturally that foil in moft abundance yields. 

But the laborious mufe, which ftill new work aflays. 
Here fallieth through the flades, where beauteous Severn 

plays 
Until that river gets her Glo'fter's wifhed fight : 
Where fhe her ftream divides, that with the ipore delight 
She might behold the town, of which file's wond'rous 

proud : 
Then takes flic in the Frome, then Cam, and next the Strowd, 
As thence upon her courfe flie wantonly doth ftrain. 
Suppofing then herfelf a fea-god by her train. 
She Neptune- like doth float upon the bracky marfli ; 
Where, left flie fliould become too cumberfome and harfli^ 
Fair Micklewood (a nymph, long honoured for a chafe. 
Contending to have ftood the high' ft in Severn's grace. 
Of any of the Dryads there bord'ring on her ftiore) 
With her cool amorous fliades, and all her fylvan ftorc. 
To pleafe the goodly flood imploys her utmoft powers, 
Suppofing the proud nymph might like her woody bowers. 
But Severn (on her way) fo large and head-ftrong grew. 
That file the wood-nymph fcorns, and Avon doth purfue ; 
A river with no lefs than goodly King's-wood crown*d, 
A foreft and a flood by cither's fame renown'd j 
And each with other's pride and beauty much bewitch'd ; 
Befidesj, with Briftol's ftate both wond'roufly enrich'd. 
Which foon to Severn fent th* report of that fair * road 
(So burdened ftill with barks, as it would over-load 
Great Neptune with the weight) whofe fame fo far doth 

ring; 
When as that mighty flood, moft bravely flourifliing, 
Like Thetis' goodly felf majeftically glides -, 
Upon her fpacious brcaft toflSng the furgcful tide?, 

Ppp3 To 

» King*' road. 



1 



936 P O LT^O LB 10 N: 

To have the river fee the ftate to which (he grows. 
And how much to her queen the beauteous Avon owes. 

But, noble mufc, proceed immediately to tell 
How Eulham's fertile vale at firft in liking fell 
With Cotfwold, that great king of flieplierds : whofe proud 

fite 
When that fair vale firft faw, fo nourifli'd her delight. 
That him Ihe only lov'd : for wifely fhe beheld 
The beauties clean throughout that on his furface dwellM : 
Of juft and equal height two banks arifibg, which 
Grew poor (as it fhould fcem) to make fome valley rich : 
Betwixt them thrufting out an elbow of fuch height, 
As Ihrowds the lower foil ; which fhadowed from the light. 
Shoots forth a little grove, that in the fummer's day 
Invites the flocks, for fliade that to the covert ftray. 
A hill there holds his head, as though it told a tale. 
Or ftooped to look down, or whifper with a vale \ 
Where little purling \yinds like wantons feem to dally. 
And fkip from bank to bank, from valley trip to valley. 
Such fundry ihapes of foil where nature doth devife, 
That flie may rather feem fantaftical, than wife. 

T' whom Sarum*s plain gives place • tho' famous for her 
flocks, , ' 

Yet hardly doth (he tythe ourCotfwold's wealthy locks. . 
Though Lemfter him exceed for finenefs of her ore. 
Yet quite he puts her down for his abundant ftore. 
A match fb fit as he, contenting to her mind. 
Few vales (as 1 fuppofe) like Eufham hapt to find : 
Nor any other wold, like Cotfwold ever fped. 
So fair and rich a vale by fortuning to wed. 
He hath the goodly wool, and (he the wealthy grain : 
Through which they wifely feem their houlhold to malu- 

* tain. 
He hath pure wholfome air, and dainty cryftal fprings. 
To thofe delights of his, fhe daily profit brings : 
As to his large expence, fhe multiplies her heaps : 
Nor can his flocks devour th* abundance that fhe reaps v 
As th* one with what it hath, the other ftrove to grace. 

And now, that every thing may in the proper place 

Moll 



SONC THE FOURTEEI^TH. 937 

Moft aptly be contrived, the (heep our wold doth breed 
(The fimpleft though it fcem) fhall our dcfcription need. 
And fliepherd-like,the mufe thus of that kind doth fpeak : 
No brown, nor fullied black the face or legs doth ftreak. 
Lake thofe of Moreland, Cank, or of the Cambrian hills. 
That lightly laden are : but Cotfwold wifely fills 
Her with the whiteft kind : whofe brows fo woolly be. 
As men in her fair Iheep no emptinefs fliould fee. 
The ftaple deep and thick, through to the very grain, 
Moll ftrongly keepeth out the violenteft rain : 
A body long and large, the buttocks equal broad ; 
As fit to undergo the full and weighty load. 
And of the fleecy face, the flank doth nothing lack. 
But every where is flor'd ; the belly, as the back. 
The fair and goodly flock, the fhepherd's only pride. 
As white as winter's fnow, when from the river's fide 
He drives his new-wa(h'd fbeep ; or on the fhearing-day. 
When as the lufly ram, with thofe rich fpoils of May 
His crooked horns hath crown'd; tlie bell- weather fo brave. 
As none in all the flock diey like themfclves would have. 
But, mufe, return to tell how there the fhepherd's king, 
Whofe flock hath chancM that year the earliefl lamb to bring. 
In his gay bauldrick fits at his low graflfy board. 
With flawns, curds, clouted-cream, and country dainties 

ftor'd : 
And whilft the bag-pipe plays, each lufly jocund fwain 
Quaffs fillabubs in cans, to all upon the plain. 
And to their country-girls, whofe nofegays they do wear. 
Some roundelays do fing : the refl, the burthen bear. 

But Cotfwold, be this fpoke to th'only praife of thee. 
That thou of all the refl the chofen foil ftioulcJ*fl be. 
Fair Ifis to bring-forth (the mother of great Tames) 
With thofe delicious brooks, by whofe immortal flreams 
Her greatnefs is begun : fo that our rivers king. 
When he his long defcent fhall from his bel-fires bring, 
Mufl needs (great paflures prince!) derive his flem by thee. 
From kingly Cotfwold^s felf, fprung of the third degree: 

Ppp4 - As 



938 P L r^O L B I O N: 

As th'old world's heroes wont, that in the times of yore^ 
On Neptune, Jove, and Mars, themfelves fo highly bore* 

But eas*ly from her foiirce as Ifis gently dades ; 
Unto her prefent aid, down through the deeper flades. 
The nimbler-footed Churn, by Cifleter doth Aide 5 
And firft at Greeklade gets prehemincnce to guide 
Qu^en Ifis on her way, ere flie receive her train. 
Clear Coin, and lively Leech, fo down fromCotfwoId*s plain 
At Leechlade linking hands, come likewife to fupport 
The mother of great Tames. When, feeing the refort. 
From Cotfwold Windrufh fcours, and with her felf doth caft 
The train to over-take, and therefore hies her faft 
Through the Oxfordian fields ; when (as the laft of all 
Thofe floods, that into Tames out of our Cotfwold fall. 
And farth'ft unto the north) bright Enload forth doth bear. 
For, though it had been long, at length ftie came to hear 
That Ifis was to Tame in wedlock to be ty'd : 
And therefore fhe prepared t'attend upon the bride ; 
Expefting, at the fcaft, paft ordinary grace. 

And being near of kin to that moil fpring-ful place. 
Where out of BIockley*s banks fo many fountains flow, 
That clean throughout his foil proud Cotfwold cannot fhow 
The like : as though from far, his long and many hills 
There emptied all their veins, where-with thofe founts he 

fills. 
Which in the greateft drought fo brimful ftill do float. 
Sent through the rifted rocks with fuch an open throat. 
As though the cleves conlum*d in humor ; they alone. 
So cfyfl:alline and cold, as hardneth (lick to ftonc. 

But whilft this while we talk, tlie far-divulged fame 
Of this great bridal towerM, in Phoebus' mip;hry name 
Doth bid the mufemake hafl:e, and to the briJc-hoiii: iJK tJ •, 
Of her attendance there lell they fliould R:\ik] in need. 



IL 



SONG THE FOURTEENTH. 939 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 

SOmewhat returning now near the way you defcended from the nor- 
thern parts, the mufe leads you through that part of Worcefter- 
ihire, which is on this fide Severn, and the neighbouring Stafford, 
viewing alfo Cotcefwold, and fo Gloceiler. The ndUons ot this fong 
are not fo couvert, nor the alluiions fo difficulty but that I prefume your 
conceit, for the mcil part, willingly difcharges my labour. 

And of her cares repreft with her delicious wines. 

In this trad of Gloceflerfhire (where to this day many places are ftiled 
Vine-yards) was of antient time among other fruits of a fertile foil, 
great ttore of vines, and more than in any other place of the kingdom. 
Now in many parts of this realm we have fome : but what comes of 
them in tlie prefs is fcarce worth refpefl. lx>ng fince, the emperor 
* Probus Et Gailis omnibus iff Hi/fonts ac Britannis permifit ut <vites habe^ 
rent 'vinumque conficerent. But ^Tacitus, before that, fpeaking of this 
iiland, commends it with Solum prater oleam 'vitimque ^ catera callidtQ' 
ribus. titris oriri JuetUy pattens frugum^ fcecundum. Long fmce Probus, 
England had its vineyards allb and fomc (lore of wine, as appears by 
that in ^OltlCfDap, Unus y Parcus tf VL Arptnru Vinea: (that is, be- 
tween hve and iix acres ; Aipent in French iignifying a content of 
ground of a hundred rods fquare, every rod eighteen foot) ^ reddit XX, 
modios 'uini, fi beve procedit^ being recorded of a place ^ by Raleigh in 
Eifex. This was under William I : and fince him in time of Hen. I. * 
xnuch wine was made here in Glocederfhire. That now the ifle enjoys 
not frequency of this benciic, as in old time, whether it be through the 
foil's old age, and fo like a woman growing fterile ( as * in another kind 
Tremellius many hundred years fince thought) or by reafon of theearth*s 
change of place, as upon difference in adronomical obfervations Stadius 
guefs'd, or that fome part of lingular influence, whereon aflrology hangs 
nioft, of inferior qualities, is altered by that (low courfe (yet of great 
power in alteration of heaven's fyilem) of the eighth fphere (or praeceflion 
of the ^quinodial) or by reafon of induftry wanting in the hufbandman, 
1 leave it to others examination. 



'Jl ill falling fouthward leaves. 



He alludes to the difference of the zodiaque's obliquity from what it 
, was of old. For, in Ptolemy's time, about 1460 years lince the utmoll 
declination of the fun in the firft of Cancer (where fhe is nearefl to our 
vertical point) was 23 gr. and about 52 minut. lince that Albategni 
(about Charlemain's time) obferved it fome 15 fcruples lefs : after him 
near 1000 year of Chrifl) Arzachel found it 23 gr,. 34 fcr. and in this 

later 

^FU'v.Vopijiui inejujd, vita, I A Malmesh, de Pontifcum geflis 4. 

b In Jul. igricola. I e /Ip, C'Aumll, de Ti Rnjiic, z.cap. i. 

C Cdjnbd, in irin^bjintibus, 1 



940 P L r-O L B 10 Ni 

later age John of Coningsbarg and ^ Copernicus brought it to 25 gr. 
28 fcrup. which concords alfo with the Pruteniqoe icoompt, and at 
many as thence traduce their Ephemerides. So that (by this calcala- 
tioD) about 24 minutes the fun comes not fo near our :0enith, as it did 
in Ptdemy's time. But in truth (for in thdfe things I accompt that 
ttVLtk, which is warranted by mod accurate obfervation ; and tMe 
learned machematicians, by omitting of parallax and refractions, deceired 
themfelfes and pofterity) the declination in this age is 23 gr. 31 fcrnp. 
and if as chat noble Dane, and moft honoi^d reitorer of alfronomical 
motions, Tycho Brahe, hath taught us : which, although it be greater 
than that of Copernicus and his followers ; yet is much leis than what 
is in Ptolemy, and by two fcrupJes difierent ^om Ar2achel*s, fo juftify ing 
the author's conceipt, fuppofmg the caufe of our climate's not now pro- 
ducing wines, to be the iun's declination from us, which for every fcru- 
pie amWcrs in earth, about one of our miles : but a far more large 
difiance in the celeftial globe. I can as well maintain this higk-fettht 
caufe, being upon difierence of fo few minutes in one of the floweft mo- 
tions (and we fee that greateft e£fe£b are always attributed to them, as 
upon the oM conceit of the Plantonique vear, abridged into near his 
lialf by Copernicus, tkoie confequents ^retold upon the chiunga (tf 
c Eccentriques out of one fign into another, the equinodliai prsecdRon, 
and inch like ; as others may their converfion of a planet's (late ito to 
Fortunate, Oppreil or Combuft, by meafuring or mif&ng their y6 fcrtt]^5 
of Cazimi, their Orlfei moiiies, and fiich curiofities. Neither can you 
ialve the effedl of this declination, by the fun's much nearer aipproach to 
the earth, upon that decreafe of his Eccentricity which Copernicus and 
his followers have publifhed. For, admitting that were true, yet ju- 
dicial aftrology relies more upon aipedt and beams falling on us with 
angles (which are much altered by this change of obliquity in the zo- 
diaqoe) than diilance of every fingular ftar from the earth. But in- 
deed, upon miilaking the pole's altitude, and other error in obfervation, 
^ Copernicus was deceiv'd, and in this prefent age the fun's eccentricity 
(in Ptolemy, being the a 4th of the eccentrique's fern i diameter, divided 
kto 60.) hath been * found between the 27 and 28 P. which is far 

§reater than that in Copernicus, erroneoufly making it but near the 3 r. 
ut thb is too heavenly a language for the common reader ; and per- 
haps too late I leave it. 

f Copernh: Re. 3. cap. 3. . eptrfimvl ^ trfil- fr^.iixi:, C^ hujui ge» 

g Cardan, ad 2. TetrabibL G? de Vorie- \ neris frxccnta. 
tat, Rer, z, qui propban^ nmium, a rr.ori^l h Cui, hoc njn:-; ,i^r,/i':,'rr miniiatus e9 
hus offava Sphgra, ijsfcilicet^ quoi circa\ Jul. Sralig. iXircita:. 9c. /i^/. a. 
C19 o ccc. ccHtrarifi treiut fieri mtdo j^ip- ! i Tycho Brabe m Pr\'^rKi:afrr, 
/9»U facrofan£fig Rdigionis mutati^:^ ir,-\ 



poir. 



( 94' ) 

POL r^O L B I O N: 

SONG THE FIFTEENTH. 

The Argument. 
neguefis here to the bride-houfe hie. 
^he goodly vale of Ayljbury 
Sets her fon (Tame) forth^ brave as May^ 
Upon the joyful wedding day : 
WhOj deckt up^ towards his bride is gone. 
So lovely IJts coming on^ 
At Oxford all the mufes meet her^ 
And with a Prothalamion greet her. 
The nymphs are in the bridal bow*rs^ 
Some ftrowing fweets^ fame for ting flowers : 
Where Uifiy Charwel himfelf raifes, 
Andfings of rivers^ and their praifes. 
Then Tames his way towWd Windfor tends. 
' Thus^ with the fong^ the marriage ends. 

NO W fame had through this iQe divulg'd in every ear. 
The long-expcfted day of marriage to be near. 
That Ifis, Cotfwold*s heir, long woo'd, was laftly won. 
And inftantly (hould wed with ' Tame, old Chiltern*s fon. 
Arid now that wood-man's wife, the mother of the flood, 
^ The rich and goodly vale of Aylfbury, that flood 
So much upon her Tame, was bulled in her bowers. 
Preparing for her fon as many futes of flowers. 
As Cotfwold for the bride, his Ifis, lately made ; 
Who for the lovely Tame, her bridegroom, only ft"aid. 

Wirjft 

; Tame arifes in the vale of A/Iibary, at the faot of ^% CluksttL. 



942 POL r^O L B 10 N: 

Whilft every cryftal flood is to this bufinefs preft, 
The caufe of their great fpeed and many thus requeft ; 
O ! whither go ye, floods ? what fuddain wind doth blow. 
Than other of your Idnd, that you fo fait (hould flow ? 
What bufinefs in hand, that fpurs you thus away ? 
Fair WindruQi, let me hear ; I pray thee, Charwel, fay. 
They fuddainly reply, ' What lets you fliould not fee 

* That for this nuptial feaft we all prepared be ? 

* Therefore this idle chat our ears doth but oflFend : 

* Our leifure ferves not now thefe trifites to attend.* 

But whilft things are in hand, old Chiltern (for his life) 
From prodigal expenfe can no way keep [lis wife ; 
Who feeds her Tame with marie, in cordial- wife prepared. 
And thinks all idly fpent, that now fhe only fpar'd 
In fetting forth her fon : nor can fhe think it well, 
Unlefsher lavilh charge do Cotfwold's far excel. 
For, Aylfbury's a vale that walloweth in her wealth. 
And (by her wholfome air continually in health) 
Is lufty, frim, and fat, and holds her youthful ftrength, 
Befides her fruitful earth, her mighty breadth and lengthy 
Doth Chiltern fitly match : which mountainoufiy high. 
And being very long, fo likewifc flie doth ly 
From the Bedfordian fields, where firft fhe doth begin. 
To falhion like a vale, to th'place where Tame doth win 
His Ifis* wilhed bed ; her foil throughout fo fure. 
For goodnefs of her glebe^ ^nd for her pafture pure. 
That as her grain and grafs, fo fhe her fheep doth breed. 
For burthen and for bone all other that exceed : 
And fhe, which thias in wealth abundantly doth flow. 
Now cares not on her child what coft fhe do beftow : 
Which when wife Chiltern faw (the world who long liad 

try'd. 
And now at lafl bad laid all garifh pomp afide ; 
Whole hoar and chalky head defcry'd him to be old. 
His beechen woods bereft, that kept him from the cold) 
Would fain perfwade the vale to hold a fleddy rate •, 
And with his curious wife, thus wifely doth debate : 

' Quoth he, you might allow what needeth, to the moft ; 
* But whereas Icls will fcrve, what means this idle cofl: ? 

^ Too 



SONG THE FIFTEENTH. 943 

* Too much, a furfeit breeds, and may our child annoy : 

* Thefe fat and lufcious meats do but our ftomachs cloy. 

* The modcft comely mean, in all things likes the wife. 
' Apparel often Ihews us womanifli precife, 

'And what willCotfwold think when he fhall hear of this? 

* He'll rather blame your wafte, than praile your coft, I wifs/ 

But women wilful be, and fhe her will muft have-. 
Nor cares howChikern chides, fo that her Tame be brave. 
Alone which towards his love flic cas'jy doth convey : 
For the Oxonian ^ Ouzc was lately fent away 
From Buckingham, where firft he finds his nimbler feet ; 
Tow'rds Whittlewood then takes: where, paft the noblcft 

t ftrctt. 
He to the forcll gives his farewel, and doth keep 
His courfe diredly down into the German deep. 
To publifli that great day in mighty Neptune's hall. 
That all the fca-gods there might keep it feftival. 

As we have told how Tame holds on his even courfe. 
Return we to report, how Ifis from her fource 
Comes tripping with delight down from her daintier fprings; 
And in her princely train, t' attend hei marriage, brings 
Clears Churnet, 'Coin, and "^ Leech, which firft fhe did 

retain, 
With * Windrufh : and with her (all outrage to reftrain 
Which well might oflF'red be to Ifis as fhe went) 
Came Yenioad with a guard of Satyrs which were fent 
From *^ Whichwood, to await the bright and god-like dame. 
So, ^ Bernwood did bequeath his Satyrs to the Tame, 
For f^icklcrs in thofe flirs that at the feaft fhould be. 

Thefe preparations great when Charwell comes to fee. 

To Oxford got before, to entertain the flood, 

Apollo's aid he begs, with all his facred brood. 

To that moft learned place to welcome her repair. 

Who in her coming on, was wax'd fo wondrous fair. 

That meeting, ftrife arofe betwixt them, whether they 

Her beauty fhould extol, or fhe admire their '^bay. 

On 

» Ariiing near Brackley, rurming • ^ Riven ariilng in Cotfivold, (poke 
into the German Tea. { of in the former Song, 

f Watling^ d Laurel for learning. 



946 POL r-0 L B I O N: 

The azurM hare-bell next, with them they neatly mix*d : 
T* allay whofe lufcious fmell, they woodbind placed betwixt. 
Amongft thofe things of fcent, there prick they in the lilly : 
And near to that again, her fifter dafFadilly. 
To fort thefe flowers of fhow, with th' other that were 

fvveet. 
The cowflip then they couch, and th*oxflip, for her meet : 
The columbine amongft they fparingly do fer. 
The yellow king-cup, wrought in many a curious fret, 
And now and then among, of eglantine a fpray. 
By which again a courfc of lady-fmocks they lay : 
The crow-flower,and there-by the clover-flow'r they flick. 
The daifie, over all thofe fundry fweets fo thick. 
As nature doth herfelf -, to imitate her right : 
Who feems in that her * pearl fo greatly to delight. 
That every plain therewith ftie powd'reth to behold : 
The crimfon darnel flower, the blue-bottle, and gold : 
Which though efteem'd but weeds \ yet for their dainty hues. 
And for their fcent not ill, they for this purpofe chufe. 
Thus having told you how the bridegroom Tame was 

dreft, 
1*11 fliew you how the bride, fair Ifis, they inveft •, 
Sitting to be attir'd under her bower of ftate, 
Which fcorns a meaner fort, than fits a princely rate. 
In anadems for whom they curioufly difpofe 
The red, the dainty white, the goodly damafl^ rofe. 
For the rich ruby, pearl, and amcthyft, men place 
In kings imperial crowns, the circle that inchafe. 
The brave carnation then, with fweet and fovereign power 
(So of his colour caird, although a July-flower) 
With th* other of his kind, the fpeckled and the pale : 
Then th* odoriferous pink, that fends forth fuch a gale 
Of fweetnefs ; yet in fcents as various as in forts. 
Tlie purple violet then, the panfie there fupports : 
The mary-gold above t' adorn the arciicd bar : 
The double daifie, thrift, the button-batcliclor, 
Sweet-william, fops-in-wine, the campion : and to thel--^ 
Some lavender they pur, with rofcmary and bays : 

Svvc^i: 
I Margarita is both a prsrl and a daifv 



SONG TH8 FIFTEENTH. 94^ 

Sweet marjoram, with her like, fwcet bafil rare for frndl. 
With many a flower, whofe name were now too long to tcU : 
And rarely with the reft, the goodly flower-dc-!is. 

Thus for the nuptial hour, all fitted point-device, 
Wlulft fome ftill bufied are in decking of the bride. 
Some others were again as fcrioufly imploy'd 
In ftrewing of thofe herbs, at bridals us'd that be ; 
Which every where they throw widi bounteous hands and 

free. 
The healthful balm and mint, from their full laps do fly. 
The fcentfu I camomile, the verdurous coftmaryj : • 
They hot mufcado oft with milder maudlin caft ; 
Strong tanfcy, fennel cool, they prodigally wale: 
Clear hyfop, and therewith the comfortable thyme,. .. 
Germander with the reft, each thing then in her primcf ; 
As well of wholfomc herbs, as every pleafant flower^ 
Which nature here produced, to fit this happy hour. 
Amongft thefe ftrewing kinds, fome other wild that grow. 
As burnct, all abroad, and meadow-wort they throw; 

Thus all diings falling out to every one's defu'e. 
The ceremonies done that marriage doth require. 
The bride and bridegroom fet , and fcrv'd with fundry cateS, 
And every other placed, as fitted their cflates ; 
Amongft this confluence great, wife Charwcl here was 

thought 
Thefitt'ft tochear theguefts : who throughly had bceritau^ 
In all that could pertain to courtlhip, long agon, 
As coming from his fire, the fruitful. "* Helidon, 
He travellcth to Tames -, where pafling by thofe towns ' 
Of that rich country near, whereas the mirthful clowns. 
With taber and the pipe^ on holydays do ufe, 
Upon the may-pole green, tp trample out their fhoes : 
And having in his ears the deep and " folemn rings,* 
Which found him all the way, unto the " learned fpriogsv* 

Q^q q Where 

"^ A hill betwixt Norhampton-jfordfhire called, the Crofsring* 
ibire and Warwick. | • Oxford. 

» Famous rings of bells in Ox-. 



-948 P OX r^O L B 10 N: 

, Where he, his foveraign Ouze moft happily doth meet, 
: And him, die thrice-threc maids, Apollo's ofFfpring, greet 
With all- their iacred gifts: thus^ expert being grown 
In mufick ; and befides, a curious maker known : 
This Charwel (as I faid) the firft thefe floods among. 
For filence having caird, thus to th'aflTembly fung : 
* Stand faft, ye higher hills ; low vallies, eafily ly ; 
: * And forefts, that to both you equally apply 

* (But for the greater part, both wild and barren be) 

* Retire yt to your waftes ; and rivers, only we, 
•Oft meeting let \is mix : and with delightful grace, 

* Let every beauteous nymph her beft-lov'd flood imbrace, 

* An alien be he born, or near to her own fpring, 

* So from his native fount he bravely flourilhing, 
•Along the flow'ry fields licentioufly do ftrain, 

* Gfceting edfch curled grove, and circling every plain ; 

* Or hafling to his fell, his fhoaly gravel fcow'rs, 

,* And withWs cryftal front then courts the climbing tow'rs. 
f I>t all the world be judg^, what mountain hath a name, 

* Like th^ from whofe proud foot there fprings fome fliood 

*«ffame: 
f* And in the earth's furvey, what feat like that is fet, 

* Whofe ftreets fome ample fl:ream abundantly doth wet ? 
•"^^ Where is there haven founds or harbour, like that road, 

* Int' which fome goodly flood his burthen doth unload ? 
^ ^f whofe rank fwelling dream the far-fctcht fore ign fraught 
« May up to inland-towns conveniently be brought, 

* Of any part of earth, we be the moft renown'd ; 

* Tiizt countries v'cryoft, nay, empires oft we bound. 

* As Rubicon, much fam'd both for his fount and fell, 

* The ancient limit held twixt Italy and ^ Gaul. 

* Europe and Afia keep on Tanais* cither fide. 

* Such honour have we floods, the world (even) to divide. 
^ Nay, kingdoms thus we prove are chriften'd oft: by us ^ 
' Iberia takes her name of cryftal Iberus. 

* Such 

p That Which was called Gcllial magnia and the weflcrn part of 
Cifalpina^ and is Lombardy, Ro-^lta^. 



SONG THfe F^IFTEENTH. ^^ 

**Such reverence to our kind the wifer ancients gavc^ 

* As they fuppos*d each flood a deity to hare* 

* But with our fame at home return we to proceed. 

* In Britain here we find, our Severn, and our Tweed, . 

* The tripartited ifle do generally divide^ 

' To England, Scotland, Wales, as each doth keep her fid*« 

* Trent cuts the land in two fo equally, as thb' 

* Nature it pointed-out, to our great Brute to fliow 
^ How to his mighty Tons the ifland he might ihare* 

* A thouland of this kind, and nearer, I will fparej 

* Where, if the ftate of floods at large I lift to flioir^ 

* I proudly could repon how Paftolus doth throw 

^ Up grains of perfed gold ; and of great Ganges tell^- 

* Which when ftill India's fhowcrs inforceth him to fwdlli 

* Gilds with his gliftering fands die over-pamperM (bore : 

* How wealthy Tagus firft, by tumbling down his ore^ '•. 

* The rude and flothful Moors of old Iberia taught 

^ To&arcb into thofe hills, from which fueh weakh he brought^ 

* Beyond thefe if I pleas'd, I to your praife couki brings 
' In facrcd Tempe, how (about the hoof-plow*d fpring) 

* The Heliconian maids,, upon that hallowed grcomdi ' ' 

* Recounting heavenly hymns eternally arc crowned, 

* And as the earth dodi us in her own bowcb nourifli j 

^ So every thing that grows by us, doth thrive and flounfll* * 
' To godly vktuous mdn, we wifely likened arc l 

* To be ib in themfelves, that do not only care j 

^ But by a lacred power, which goodnefs doth awaki 
' Do make thofe virtuous too, that them aflbdate. j 

By this, the wedding ends, and brake up all the ihoWt 
And Tames, got, born, and bred, immediately doth 4cir 
To Wind for- ward amain (that with a wond'ring «ye^ 
The foreft might behold his awful empery) 7 

And foon becometh great, with y/aters wext fo rank, 
That with his wealth he feems to retch his wid'ncd batik : 
Till happily attairi,'d his grandfire Chiltern*s grounds. 
Who with his beechen wreaths this king of rivers crowns* 
Amongft his holts and hiils, as on his way he makes, j 
At Reading once arrived, clearKcnuet ov«rtaikc9 

Qqqa ^Jt 



^95<> P O L r-0 L B I O N: 

Her lord the ftately Tames, which that great flood again 
With many figns of joy doth kindly entertain. 
Then' Loddon next comes in, contributing her ftore ; 
Ab frill we fee, the much runs ever to the more. 

Set out with all this pomp, when this emperial ftream 
•Himfelf efbibliftit fees amidft his watry realm. 
His much-lov*d Henly leaves, and proudly doth purfue 
His wood-nymph Windfor's jcat, lir lovely fitc to view. 
Whofe moft delightful face when once the river fees. 
Which fhews her felf attired in tall and ftately trees. 
He in fuch earneft lave with amorous gcftures woes. 
That looking ftill at her, his way was Uke to lofe ; 
And wandering in and out, fo wildly Teems to go. 
As headlong he himfelf into her lap would throw. 
■ Him with the like defire the foreft doth imbrace. 
And with her prcfence ftrives her Tames as much to grac6. 
No foreft, of them all, fo fit as Ihe doth ftand. 
When princes, for their Iports, her pleafures will command; 
No wood-nymph as her felf fuch troops hath ever feen. 
Nor can fuch quarries boaft as have in Windibr been ; 
Nor any ever had fo many folemn days. 
So brave aflemblies viewM, nor took fo rich * aflays, 

Then, hand in hand, her Tames the foreft foftly brings 
To that'fupreameft place c^ tbegre^ Eng}i(h kings, 
§. The Garter's royal feat, from him who did advance 
That princely order iirft, our j&rft that conquer'd France ; 
The temple of Saint George, whereas his honoured knights. 
Upon his hallowed day, obferve their ancient rites : 
-Where Eatcxi is at hand to nurfe that learned brood, 
/]h& keep the mufes ftill near to this princely flood ; 
That nothing there may want, to beautify that feat. 
With every pleafure ftor*d : and here my fong compleat. 

: « Breaking up of deer brought into the quarry. 

ILLUSTRATIONS. 

ISIiall here be lh6rter than in the hll before. The muTe is fo fuH tn 
to fel^ 9plfliy*<i wholfy about At nuptials of Tame and Ifis. In 



SONG THE FIFTEENTH. 951 

the' garlands if Tame are wreathed mioft of our Englifh field-flowen : 
in Chera of Ifis^ our mcnrefweetaudthofeofthe garden; yet upon that. 

The Garter's royal featj from bim who did adv^uce. 

I cannot but remember the Inftitutioni (toocht to the fourth fong) of 
his moil honourable order, dedicated to St. George (in 24 EJ. III.) it 
'%s yearly at thii place celebrated by that noble company &f 26. Wueiher 
the caufe were upon the word of Gartergiven in the French wars r.inong 
the EnglKh, or upon the queen's, or countefs of Salifbury's g^^r t fallen 
from her leg. or upon difl^rent and more ancient original wiiauoever, 
know clearly (without unlimited affection of our country's glory) that 
it exceeds in majefty^ honour, and fame, all chivalrous ordei^ in the 
world; and (excepting thofe of Templars, St. James, Calatrava, Alcun- 
fara, and fuch like other, which were more religious than niilit.i;') hath 
precedence of Antiquity before the elded rank of honour, of tut Vind 
any where eftablifiied. The Anunciada ( * iniUtuted by Amades VI. 
earl of Savoy, about 1409. although others have it by Amades IV. 
and b create it before this of the Garter) and that of the Gu.ucn Flecc&, 
by Philip duke of Burgundy 1429, of St. Michael by Lewes XL Delia 
Banda, by Alfonfb of Spain, and fuch like, enfned it, as imiuting in- 
fHtutions, after a regard of the ^extended fame, worth, and glory of 
St. George's knights. 

* F. Mfcrt Mir, Orsg, £ftnjl, u fOf, 4, 6f Stmftvin^ Otig* dt Ct^glieru 




Q q q 3 POir- 



♦♦♦♦^^♦^^♦♦♦♦^♦♦♦♦♦'♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦^♦♦♦^ 
P tr.O L B I O N: 

SOl^G THE SIXTEENTH- 

The ARGuMENt. 

Old Ver^ mat to Saint Allan's, Mtfgs 
Watling to talk of ancient things ; 
What VerUam was before Jhejell^ 
And many more fad ruins tell. 
Of the fofir eld imperial ways^ 
The courfe tbey beld^ and to what feas -, 
Of thafe feven Saxon kingdoms berc^ 
V:heirfites^ and bow tbey bounded were. 
7 hen Pure-vale vaunts her rich ejiate : 
And Lea bewrays her wretched fate. 
^be mufe, led on with much delight^ 
Delivers London^ s happy Jite •, 
Shows this loofe age's lewd abufe: 
And for this tifae there ft ays the mufe. 

THE bridal of our Tame and princely Ifis pgft ; 
And Tamefis thpir fon, begot, and waxing faft, 
Inviccth cryftal * Coin his wealth on him to lay, 
Wholp beauties had intic'd his fovereign Tames to flay. 
Had he not been inforp'd, by his unruly train. 
For Brent, a pretty brook, allures him on again. 
Great London to falute, whofe high-rear'd turrets throng 
To gaze uppn the flood^ as he dpth pafs along. 

Novy 

* 'f he river rui^iog by Uxbri^ge avd Cqlnbroqk. 



SbfJG THE SIXTEENTH. 953 

Now as the Tames is great, fo mod tranfparent Coin 
Feels, with cxceflive joy, her amorous bofom fwob. 
That Ver of long efteem'd a famous ancient flood 
(Upon whofe aged bank old Ver*lamchefter flood. 
Before the Roman rule) here glorify*d of yore. 
Unto her clearer banks contributed his ftore ; 
Enlarging both her ftream, and ftrength'ning his renown. 
Where the delicious meads her through her courfe do crown. 
This ** Ver (as 1 have faid) Coin's tributary brook. 
On Ver'Iam's ruin*d walls as fadly he doth look. 
Near holy Alban's town, where his rich (hrine was fet. 
Old WatHng in his way the flood doth over-get. 
Where after reverence done, * Ver, quoth the ancient ftreet, 
« 'Tis long fince thou and I firfl: in this place did meet/ 
« And fo it is, quoth Ver, and we have liv'd to fee 
< Things in far better ftate than at this time they be : 

* But he that made, amend : for much there goes amifs,* 
' Quoth Watling, gentle flood, yea, fo in truth it is : 

* And fith of this thou fpeak*fl: ; the very footh to fay, 

* Since great Mulniutius firft made me the noblefl way, 

* The foil is alterM much : the caufe I pray thee fhow, 

' The time that thou haft liv*d, hath taught thee much 
to know. 

* I fain would underfland, why this delightful place, 

* In former time that ftood fo high in nature's grace 

' (Which bare fuch ftore of grain, and that fo wond'roOs 

great, 
' That all the neighbouring coaft was callM the ^ foil of 

wheat) 
^ Of later time is turn'd a hot and hungry fand, 

* Which fcarce repays the feed firft caft into the land/ 
At which the filent brook flirunk-in his filver head. 
And feign'd as he away would inflantly have fled ; 
Sufpefting, prefent fpceeh might paflTed grief renew* 
Whom Watling thus again doth ferioufly purfuc ; 

* I pray thee be not coy, but anfwer my demand : 

* The caufc of this (dear flood !) I fain would underftand. 

Q^q q 4 * §, Thou 

? The little clear river by St, Alban'8. | ! Whcthamftcd. 



954 P L r^O L BIO Nt 

' §. Thou law'fl: when Ver'lam once her head aloft did 
bear 
^ (Which in her cinders now lies fadly birried here) 

* With alabafter, tuch, and porphyry adorn'd, 

* When (well- near) in her pride great Troynovant fhe 

fcornM. 

* §. Thou faw'ft great- burdened (hips thrbugh thefe thy 

vallies pafs, 

* Where now the (harp-edg*d fcythe ftiears up the fpirirg 

grafs : 

* That where the ugly feale and porpoife us'd to play, 

* The grafhopper and ant now lord it all the day : 

* Where now St. Alban's (lands, was called Holm-hurft 

then ; 

* Whofc fumptuous ifanc we fee neglefted now again, 

* This rich and goodly fane which ruin*d thou do(l fee, 

* Quoth Ver, the motive is that thou iniportun*fl: me : 

* But to another thing thou cunningly doft flie, 

* And reafon feem- ft to urge of her fterility.' 

With that he fetchM a figh, and ground his teeth in rage; 

* Quoth Ver, even for the fin of this accurfed age. 

* Behold that goodly fane, which ruin'd now doth (land, 

* To holy * Albion built, firft martyr of the land •, 

* Who in the faith of Chrift from Rome to Britain c^me, 

* And dying in this place, refignM his glorious name. 

* In memory of whom, (as more than half divine) 

* Our Englifh Offa rear'd a rich and fumptuous (hrine 

* And monadery here : which our fucceeding kings 

* From time to time endow'd with many goodly thing5?. 

* And raiany a Chriftian knight was buried here, before 

* The Norman fet his foot upon this conquered (hore 5 

* And after thofe brave fpirits in all thofe baleftil (lowrs, 

* That wirh duke ^Robert went againft the pagan powen, 

* And in their country's right at CreflTy thofe that ftood, 

* And tihat at Poifters bath*d their bilbpws in French blood •, 

* Their 

* Look before to the Eleventh I * With the eldefi fen of the con-^ 
Song Iqaerorin the Holy Land. 



SONO THE SIXTEENTH. 955 

* Their valiant nqAews next at Agincourt that fought, 

* Whereas rebellious France upon her knees was brought: 
' In this religious houfe at fome of their returns, 

* When nature claimed her due, here plac'd their hallow'd 

urns: 

* Which now devouring time, in his fo mighty wafte, 

* Demolifhing thofe walls, .hath utterly defac'd. 

* So that the earth to feel the ruinous heaps of ftones, 

* That with the burd'nous weight now prefs their facred 

bones, 

* Forbids this wicked brood (hould by her fruits be fed ; 

' As loathing her own womb, that fuch loofe children bred. 
Herewith tranfported quite, to thefe exclaims he fell : 

* Lives no man, that this world her grievous crimes dare tell? 

* Where be thofe noble fpirits for ancient things that ftood? 

* When in my prime of youth I was a gallant flood ; 

* In thofe free golden days, it was the Satyrs ufe 

* To rax the guilty times, and rail upon abufe : 

' But foothers find the way preferment mod to win ; 

* Who ferving great mens turns, become the bawds to fin. 

When Watling in his words that took but fmall delight. 
Hearing the angry brook fo cruelly to bite 5 
As one that fain would drive thefe fancies from his mind, 

* Quoth he, Til tell thee things that fute thy gender kind. 
« My fong is of my felf, and my three filler ftreets, 

' Which way each of us run, where each her fellow meets, 

* Since us, his kingly ways,. Mulmutius firft began, 

* From fea again to fea, that through the ifland ran. 
' Which that in mind to keep pofterity might have, 

* Appointing firft our courfe, this privilege he gave, 

* That no man might arreft, or debtors goods might fcizc 

* In any of us four his military ways. 

* And though the Fofs in length exceed me many a mile, 

* That holds from (hore to (hore the length of all the ifle, ' 

* From where rich Cornwal points to the Iberian fcas, 

* Till colder Cathnefs tells the fcattered Orcades, 

^ I meafuring but the breadth, that is not half his gaet ; 

* Yet, for that I am grac'd with goodly London's ftate, 

*And 



956 POL r^O L BIO H : 

^ And Tames and Severn both fincc in my courfe I crofi, 

* And in much greater trade, am ' worthier far than Fofi. 

* But 6 unhappy chance ! through time's difaftrous lot, 

• Our other fellow ftreets ly utterly forgot j 

' As Icning, that fet out from Yarmouth in the caft, 

• By the Iccni then being generally poffeft, 

• Was of that people firft termed Icning in her race, 

• Upon the » ChiUern here that did my courfe imbracc : 

* Into the dropping fouth and bearing then outright, 

* Upon the Solent fea ftopt on the Ifle of Wight. 

* And Rickneld, forth that taught from Cambria's far- 

^ thcr Ihore, 

• Where South-wales now fhoots forth Saint David's pro- 

' montore ; 

• And, on his mid«-way near, did me in England meet ; 

* Then in his oblique courfe the tufty ftragling ftreet 

* .Soon overtook the Fofs ; and toward the tall of Tine, 

* Into the German fea diffblv'd at his decline.' 

Here Wading would have ceas*d, his tale as having told : 
But now this i?ood, that fain the ftreet in talk wquld hold, 
Thofc ancient things to hear, which well old Wading knew, 
With thefe enticing words, her fairly forward drew. 

• Right noble ftreet, quoth he, thou haft liv'd long, 

* gone far, 

^ Much traffick had in peace, much travailed in war ; 

• And in thy larger courfe furvey'ft as fundry grounds 

' ( Where I poor flood am lockt within thefe narrower 

* bounds, 

* And like my ruin'd felf thefe ruins only fee, 

* And there remains not one to pity them or me) 

• On with thy former fpeech : I pray thee fomewhat fay. 
' For, Watling, as thou art a military way, 

• Thy ftory of old ftreets likes mc fo wond'rous well, 

♦ That of the ancient folk I fain would hear thee tell, [wan: 

With thefe perfwafive words, fmooth Ver the Watling 
Stroking her dufty face, wlicn thus the ftreet began \ 

' When 

■ ' Watling, chiefeft of the four! t Nor far from Dunftablc. 
great NVays. ' 



SONG ^HE SIXTEENTH. 957 

^ When once thdr fevcnfold rule the Saxons came to rear, 
VAnd yet with half this iflc fufficed fcarccly were, 

* Though from the inland part the Britons they had chas'd, 

* Then u?iderftand how here tbcmfelvcs the Saxons placed. 
^ Where in. great Britain's ftate four people of her own 

* Were by the feveral names of their abodes well known 

* ( As, in that horn which juts into the fea fo far, 
'Wherein our Devonffiirc now, and fanheft Cornwal are, 
^ The old Danmonii dwelt : fo hard again at hand, 

* The Durotriges (at on the Dorfetian fand : 

' And where from fea to fqi the Beige forth were let, 

* Even from Southampton's fhore, through Wilt and So- 

' snerlet, 
y The Attrebates in Bark unto the bank of Tames, 
' Betwixt the Celtick flecve and the Sabrinian ftreams) 

* The Saxons there fet down one kingdom : which inftallM, 

* And being weft, they it their * weftern kingdom called. 
^ So eaft ward where by Tames the Trinobants were fet, 

* To Trinovant their town, for that tbdr name in debt^ 

* That London now we term, the Saxons did poffefs, 

* And their eaft kingdom call'd, as * Effex doth exprefs ^ 
' The greateft part thereof, and ftill their name doth bear ; 

* Though Middlcfcx therein, and part of Hartford were ; 

* From Cob upon the weft, upon the eaft to ♦ Stour, 

* Where mighty Tames himfelf doth into Neptune pour. 

* As to our fartheft rife, where forth thofe fore-lands lean, 

* Which bear their chalky brows into the German main, 

* The Angles, which arofe out of the Saxon race, 

* Allured with delights and fitnefs of that place, 

* Where thelceni liv'd did fet their kingdom down, 

* From where the wallowing feas thofe queachy waQics; 

* drown 
^ That Ely dp iniQe, to martyr'd Edmond's ditch, 

* Till thofe Nprfolpian fliores vaft Neptune doth inrich : 

* Which 

f For PL mor^ plain divifion oA ^ S« calPd, of the Etft-Saxons. 
fhe EngUfh kingdgms fee to the! * A river upon the confines qi 
^L fong. ISu&lk and Ellex. 



958 > L r-0 L BI N: 

* Which ( fartheft to the eaft of this divided ifle) 

* Th*Eaft-Angles kingdom, then, thofe Enghfti did inftile. 

* And Suffex feemeth ftill, as with an open mouth, 

* Thofe Saxons rule to {hew, that of the utmoft fouth 

* The name to them aflum'd, who rigoroufly cxpelPd 
The Kentifti Britons thence, and thofe rough wood-lands 

'held 
7rom where the goodly Tames the Surryan grounds doth 

* fweep. 

Until t'he fmiUng downs falutc the Celtick deep. 

* Where the Dobuni dwelt, their neighbouring Ca- 

* teuclani, 

* Comavii more remote, and where the Coritani, 

* Where Dee and Merfey ftioot into the Irilh fea ; 

* (Which well-near o*cr this part, now called England i lay, 

* From Severn to the ditch that cuts New-market plain, 

* And from the banks of Tames to Humber, which con- 

*tain 

* So many goodly (hires of Merfey, Mercia hight) 

* Their mightier empire, there, the middle Englifli pight. 

* Which fartheft though it raught, yet there it did not end : 
** But Offa, king thereof, it after did extend 

* Beyond the bank ofJDee •, and by a ditch he cut 

* Through Wales from north to fouth, into wide Mercia put 
..* Well near the half thereof, and from three peoples there, 
.* To whom three fpecial parts divided juftly were 

* (The Ordovices, now which North-wales people be, 

* From Chefhire which of old divided was by Dee : 

* And from our Marchers, now, that were Demeta then j 

* And thofe Silures call'd, by us the South-wales men) 

* Beyond the Severn, much the Englifh Offa took, 

* To fhut the Britons up within a little nook. 

*From whence, by Merfey *$ banks, the reft a kingdom 

* made : 

* Where in the Britons rule (before) the Brigants fway'd ; 

* The powerful EngliQi there cftabliflit were to ftand : " 

* Which, north from Humber fct, they termM North- 

* humberland 5 

. •Two 



SONG THE SIXTEENTH. 959 

* Two kingdoms which had been with (cveral thrones 

Mnftali'd. 

* Bernitia hight the one ; Diera th'other caird. 

* The firft from Humber ftretcht unto the bank of Tine ; 

* WWch river and the Frith the other did confine. 

* Diera beareth through the fpacious Yorkifh bounds, 

* From Durham down along to the Lancaftrian ^ founds, 

* With Merfey and clear Tine continuing to their fall, 

* To England-ward within the Pifts renowned wall, 

* And did the greater part of ' Cumberland contain : 

* With whom the Britons name for ever fhall remain j. 

* Who there amongft the rocks and mountains lived long, 

* When they Loegria left, inforc'd through powerful 

* wrong. 

* Beriiitia over Tine into Albania lay, 

* To where the "* Frith falls out into the German (ea. 

This faid, the aged ftreet fagg'd fadly on alohe : 
And Ver upon his courfe, now hafted to bQ gone 
T*accompany his Coin : which as flie gently glides. 
Doth kindly him imbrace: whom fooa this hap betides ; 
As Coin come on alqhg, and chanc'd to caft her eye 
Upon that neighbouring hill where Harrow (tands fb higfa^ 
She " Pery vale perceived prank'd up with wreaths of wheat. 
And with exulting terms thus glorying in her feat j 

* Why fhould not I be coy, and of my beauties nice, 

* Since this my goodly grain is held of greatcft price? 

* No manchet can fo well the courtly palate pteafe, 

* As that made of the meal fetchM from my fertil leaie. 

* Their fineft of that kind, compared with my wheat,' 

* For whitenefs of the bread doth look like common cheat* 

* What barley is there found, whofe fair and bearded Au* 

* Makes ftouter Englilh ale, or ftronger Englifh beer ? ' 

* The oar, the bean, and peafe, with nfie but pulfeis arc y 

* I'he coarfe and browner rye, iio more than fitch and tare* 

* What 



♦^ Sea* depths near the Ihorcs. 

i The Cymbries land. 

* A river running by Eden- 



boroagh into the fea. 

» Pcryvale, orPure-Ta1r» yieldetk 
the finelt meal of J^gland. 



9do POL r-O L B 10 N: 

' What feed doth any foil in England bring, that I 

* Beyond her moft increafe yet cannot multiply ?. 

* Befides, my furc abode next goodly London is, 

* To vent my fruitful (lore, that me doth never mifii. 

* And tliofe poor bafer things, they cannot put away, 

* Howe'er I fet my price, nc*cr on my chapmen (lay. 

When prfently the hill that maketh her a vale. 
With things he had in hand did interrupt her tale. 
With Hampftead being faH'n and High-gate at debate •, 
As one before them both that would advance his ftate. 
From either for his height to bear away the praife, 
Befides that he alone rich Pery vale furveys. 
But Hampfted pleads, himfelf in fimplcs to have fkill. 
And therefore by defert to be the hobleft hill ^ 
As one, that on his. worth and knowledge doth rely 
In learned phyfick's ufe, and flcilful furgery •, 
And challengeth, from them, the worthieft place her own. 
Since that old WatFing once, o'er him to pals was known. 
Then High-gate boafts his way j which men do moft 
frequent; 
His long-continued fame, his high and great defcent ; 
Appointed far a gate of London to have been, 
•When firft the mighty Briite that city did begin. 
And that he is th? hill, next Endfield which hath place, 
A fpreft for her pride, though titled but a chafe, 
HqJ" purlieus, and her parks, her circuit full as large^ 
As Ibmc (perhaps) whofe ftate requires a greater charge. 
W.h.ofe * holts that view the caft, do wiftly ftand to look 
Upon the wbding courfe of Lee's delightful brook. 
Where Mimer coming in, invites her fiftcr Bean, 
Amongft the ?halky banks t* increafe their miftrefs' train; 
VCjhom by the dainty hand obfequioufly they lead 
(By Hartford gfiding on, through many a pleafant mead. 
And coming in her courfe to crofs the common fare, 
'Forkindnefs fhedoth kifs that hofpitable Warc».) 
*Yct fcarcely comfort Lee (alas I) fo woe begun. 
Complaining in- her courfe, thus to hcrfelf alone % 



« 



Hovr 



■ H!gh wood/ banki. 



SONG, THE SIXTEENTH. 961 

How (hould my beauty now giveWaltham fuchdeii^;. 
Or I, poor filly brook, take pleafure in her fight ? 
Anuquky (for that it ftands fo far from view. 
And would her doating dreams ihould be believ'd for true) 
Dare loudly lie for Coin, that fometimes (hips did pafi^ 
To .Ver'lam by her ftream, when Ver'lam famous was 5 
But, by the later times, fufpeded but to feign^ 
She planks and anchors (hews, her error to maintain ; 
Wluch were, indeed, of boats, for pleafure there to row 
Upon her (then a lake) the Roman pomp to fhow. 
When Rome her forces here did every year fupply. 
And at old Ver'lam kept a warlike colony. 
But I, diftrefied Lee, wbofe courfe doth plainly tell. 
That what of Cob is ikid, of me none could refell. 
Whom ■ Alfred but too wife (poor river ! ) I may iay 
(When he the cruel Danes did cunningly betray, 
Whk:h Hartfbid then befieg'd, whofc navy there abode. 
And on my fpacious breafi: before the cafUe rode) 
By Vantage of my foil^ he did divkie my ftream i 
That they might ne'er return to Neptune's wat'ry realm. 
Atid, fince, diftrefied Lee, I have been left forlorn, 
A by-word to each brook, and to the workl a fcorn.' 
When Stuit, a nymph of her's (whofe faith fiie oft had 
prcAr'd, 
And whom, erf all hej train, Lee moft intorely Iov*d) ' 
L^ft fo CKceflive grief her miftrefs might invade. 
Thus (by fair gende fpeech) to patience doth perfuade : 
* Though you be not fo great co others as before, 

* Yet not a jot for that diflikc yourfeif the more. 

* Your cafe is not alone, nor is (at all) fo ftrange; 

* Sith every diing on earth fubjeds itfelf to change. 

* Where rivers fometime ran, is firm and certain ground : 

* And where before were hills, now ftanding lakes arc found. 

* And that which moft' you urge, your beauty to defpoil^ 

* Doth recompence your bank with quantity of foil, 

* Befet with ranks of fwans ; that, in their wonted pride,- 

* Do prune thdr fnowy plumes upon your pleafant fide.* 

•And 

f See to the 12th Song. 



962 P O LT^O L BIO N: 

* And Waltham woes you ftill, and fmiles with wonted 

chear : 

* And Tames as at the firft, fo ftill doth hold you dear. 

To much-beloved Lee, this fearcely ^turt had fpoke. 
But goodly London's figbt their farther purpofe broke : 
When Tames his either banks adorn'd with buildings fair. 
The city to falute doth bid the mufc prepare. 
Whofe turrets, fanes, and fpircs, when wiftly flie beholds. 
Her wonder at the fite thus ftrangely fhe unfolds : 

* At thy great builder's wit, who's he but wonder may ? 

* Nay, of his wifdom thus enfuing times (hall fay ; 

* O more than mortal man, that did this town begin ! 

* Whofe knowledge found the plot, fo fit to fet it in. 

* What God, or heavenly power was harbour'd in thy breaft, 

* From whom with fuchfuccefs thy labours (hould bcbleft? 
^ Built on a rifing bank, within a vale to ftand, 

* And for thy healthful foil, chofe gravel mixM with fand. 

* And where fair Tames his courfe into a crefcent cafts 

* (That, forced by his tides, as ftill by her he haftcs, 

* He might his furging waves into her bofom fend) 

* Becaufe too far in length his town ftiould not extend. 

* And to the north and fouth, upon an equal reach, 

* Two hills their even banks do Ibmewhat feem to ftrctch, 

* Thofe two extremer winds from hurting it to let ; 

* And only level lies upon the rife and fet. 

* Of all this goodly ifle, where breathes moft chcarful air, 

* And every way thereto the ways moft fmooth and fsur ; 
^ As in the fkteft place by man that could be thought, 

' To which by land, or fea, provifion might be brought. 

* And fuch a road for ftiips firarce all the world commands, 
^ As is the goodly Tames, near where Brute's dty ftands. 
^ Nor any haven lies to which is more refort, 

^ Commodities to bring, as alfo to tranfport : 

* Our kingdom that enrich'd (through which we flourifh'd 

long) 
^ Ere idle gentry up in fuch abundance fprung, 

* Now peit'ring all this ifle : whole difproporuon draws 
'-^ The publkrk wealth fo dry, and only is the Caule 

•Our 



SONG THE SIXTEENTH. 963 

i •• Our gcJd goes 6UC fo faft, for foolifh foreign things, 

* Which upltarr gentry ftilJ into our country brings j 

* Who their infitiatc pride feck chiefly to maintain 
' > By chat, which only ferves to u(es vile and vain : 

i. * Which our plain fathers erft would have accounted fin, 
/ Btefore the coftly coach, and filken ftock came in ; 

* Before that Indian weed ® fo ftrongly was embrac'd^ 
» ' Wherein fuch mighty fums we prodigally wade ; 

' That merchants long trained up in gain's deceitful fchool, 
' And fubtly having. learn'd to fboth the humorous fool, 
; * Prefent their painted toys unto this frantick gull,. 
, ' Difparaging our tin, our leather, cbrn, and wool j 
I * When foreigners, with our's them warmly cloath and feed, 
i ' Tranfporting trafh to us, of which we ne'er had need^ 
But whilft the angry mufe, thus on the time excl^ms, 
Sith every thing therein confifteth in extremes ; 
Left fhe inforc'd with wrongs, her limits fhould tranfcend^ 
Here of this prefent fong ftie briefly makes an end% 
o Tobacco 

ILLUSTRATIONS. 

r[ waindermg paflTage the mofe remms from the wedding, Ibmewhat 
intothe land) and firft to H»tfbrd ; whence^ after matter of de^ 
fcription, to London. 

^ibiu Jaw'*Ji when Fer*lam once her bead aloft did bear. 

ibr; under Nero, the Britons intollerably loaden with weight of the 

Ronaa government, and efpecially the Icens (now Norfolk and Sufi- 

i ibik iften) provoked by that cruel fervitude, into which not themfdvea 

I only, bat the wife alfo and poUerity of their king Prafotagos were^ 

I «reii beyond right of yidory, confhtiined, at length breathing for li- 

I berty (&nd m a farther continuance of war, having for their general 

R. Boudicea, Bundoica, or as the difference of her name it) lebeird 

againft their foreign conqueror, and in martial oppofition coiDmittin| 

a daughter of no leis than 80,000 (as Dio hath^ although Tacitus miU 

10,000 of this number) ];anfack'd and Ipoil'd Maldon (then Camalodtt- 

Bum) and alfo this Verulam near St. Alban's) which were the two 

• chief towns pf the ifle j the &rit a colony (whereof the Sth Song) this 

a b jnunicipal city, calVd exprefslv in a catalogue at die end of Neniihu^ 

R r r Cacr* 

a Suet, lib, 6« ctf/. 39^ b Ahfmdfium Ttfcil« 4<i"^» t%% 



964 P O L r^O L B JO N: 

Caer-Municip. Ont of I AgeUius I thus note to you its nature. 4fir«/« 
fifes /unt cwit Romani ex mumcipiis fuo jure (ff legibus fuit uteftter^ mu- 
neris tantumcumfop, Rom, houorarii participes, a quo munere capejfende 
appetiati midentur ; nullis aliis neceffitatibut neque ulla pop. Rom, lege 
okriiH^ qumm nunquampof. Rom. eorum fundus faSus ejfet. It differed 
from a colony » mod of ail in that a colony was a progeny of the dty, 
and this of fuch as were received into ftate-favour and friendfhip by I 
the Roman. Perfonating the Genius of Ver'lam, that ever-famoas \ 
« Spenfer fung: 

/ nnas that ctty^ 'which the garUnJ *wori 
Of Britain'* s pride, delivered unto me 
, By Roman vigors, *which it nvon ofyoft ; 
though nought at all hut ruins now ihe^ 
And lie in euino own ajbee^ as ye fee : 
Fer^lam I was ; what hoots it that I was, 
Sith now lam hut tweeds and wafteftd graft f 

As Under the Romans, fo in the Saxon times afterward it endured a 
fecond ruin land, out of its corruption, after the abbey erected by kiof 
Offa, was generated that of St^ Alban's ; whither, < in later times^m^ 
of the ftone-works, and wiiatfoerer fit for building was by the abbola 
tranflated. So that. 



•'^ I^ow remains no memory^ 



Nor any little monument to fee. 

By which the traveller that fares that way. 

This once wasjhe, may warned he to fay. 

The name hath been thought from the river there running caQ*d Ytr^ 
and Humfrty s Lhuid makes it, as if it were tStr^lffaili i. e. a church 
upon Ver. 

Tbwfaw^ ft great burden' djhips through theje thy vallies pafs. 

:*' Lay not here unlikelihoods to the author's charge ; he tells you flK>i« 
ju^Udouily towards the end of the fong. But the caufe why fome have 
thought fo, is for that,'^ Gildas, fpeaking of St. Alban's mar^rdom, and 
^is miraculous fKdfing thro' the river at Ver]amcefhT,caIl5 it iter igmatum 
iresns Thamtfisfiwvii alveum : fo by colledUon they gueft that Thavies 
liad then his full courfe this way, being thereto farther mov'd by an- 
Aon and fuch like here dig*d up. This conjedure hath been follow* 
•d by that ^ noble mufe thus in the perfon of Verlam ; 

And where the eryftal 7hamis wont tojlide 

hsfilnjer channel down along the Lee^ 

AifUi 

a N*a,Attte. i6*eop. j%n I % In Brev, Brit* 

c In hit tttios of tine. I h Ii Bpifi, dt Sxctit Sritt/h 

' t^'Ldsnd.adCygnCmt. J \ Spenftf. 

' -iSjefif.mkiJitpro. \ 



SONG THE SIXTEENTH. 965 

AbvKfnnlffefimio^ry ianh oft either Ut 
d thgmfimd mymfhs^ wth mtrfhfui jollity^ 
Were ^nwtt t$ flayfrwn etU amnyaneefree : 
nere ntAu ne rrver^s cntr/e is t$ hefeen^ 
Bui mieeriflffeniy sndmetrjhet evergreem. 

nere alfe inhere the wnged Jhifs ^werefeen^ 
In liptid wa^es tp cut their fiam^ way % 
Atb%ufandfiP^iimnAer*dte ha<ve beeu 
h that wUle lake leeking fyr flentems frey 
Of/ifh, nuitb beuts which they us" die betray^ 
Is now m lake f mr amy fi/her*t ftore^ 
Nor e'verflnf /hall fail there any more* 

But, for this matter of the Thames^ thofe two grand antkittaricst 
Xeland and Camden, havejoin'd in judgment againft it: and for th« 
anchors, they may be fappos*d of fi(h-bosts in huge pods which h«v« 
.ikere been » and yet are Idft relicks of their name. 

Since us bis kingly vsays Mohnutiusfirft began. 

4 

Near ;oo yean before our Saviour, this kmg Molmatitti (take it op- 
«a credit of the Britifh ftory] conftitated divers lawsi efpedaDythat 
churches, ploughs, and high* ways fhould liave liberties of (anduarj^^ 
by no authority viokble. That churches fliould be free and e^joy liber^ 
for refuge, confenting allowance of moft nations have tolerated, and in 
this kingdom (it being affirmed alfo by conftitutionof ^ kine Lncias {% 
chriMan] every churdi-yard was a fanftuary, until by aft of iparliamenc 
under Henry VIII. that licence, for proteddon of offences, being to^ 
much abufed, was taken away ; but, whether now reftored in the laft 
■ parliament, wherein all ftatutes concerning abjuration or fandoaix 
made before 35th Eliz. are repealed, I examme not. The plough and 
holbandmen have by our ^fhuutes, and efprcially by <* civil and ^ Per*- 
ftui law, great freedoms. High- ways being without exception ne- 
ceflhry, as well for peace as war, have been defended in the ^ Romaa 
* and are taken in ours, wbe in that refpeft ^as they are bv im- 



fUctttkm of the name) the king's highway s, and ' resjacrm : If qm 
eU^d inde eccnpawerit excedendo fines tf termines terntjiue, did tar fe^ 
aikfkrfreftmram fuper ipfimregem. According to this pnvilm'of 
Molmotius m the Ibtute of Marlbridge • it is enaded, that none £oald 
diftrain in the king*s highway, or the common ftreet, but the king and 
Ms minifters, fpecialem antheritatem ad hoc habentibus ; which I par* 
tkahurly tranfcribe, becaufe the printed books arc therein fo fe> 

Rrr 2 neri^ 



k Fhrileitis, 
ItzBeit, 8 cap, 14. 

» Wfm.%. c. 20^ 11 Ed. I. Dijhia. 
Seoeeoni* 

9trm¥ tUibi\ 



p Xempk. Cynfai. u 

t BrsB. iik. 4. trsa. jtj/if. lUv, df/t^ 

t 5* ftf. t. top. t6. Of r. Jtt. Ckek 



9^ 



POL r-0 L B lb N: 



nerally corrupted by addition of thb here cited in Latin : you fee it 
alters the law much,, and we have divers judgments^ that in behalf of 
the king by common bailifFs, without fpecial authority, ^tftr^fi* 
may be < taken, as for an amerciament in the fiieriflF's torn or leet, or 
for parliament knigjits fees But the old rolls of the Ibitute (as I have 
feen in a fair MS. examined by the exemplification, for the record it- 
felf is with many other loll) hadnotthofe words, as the *> regifter al* 
fo fpecially admonlfhes, nor is any part of that chapter in (bme MSS. 
which I marvel at, feeing we have a formal writ grounded upon it. 
Not much amifs were it here to remember a worfe fault, but continu- 
ally received, in the charter of the foreiit, article VII. where you read 
Nul/us /brefianus, ilfc. aliquam colUSam faciat nifi per 'vifum fsf Ja- 
tranuntum XIL regardatorum quando faciunt regardnm* Tot foreftarii^ 
Isfc, the truth of the beft copies (and fo was the record) bein^ in this 
digtfiion NuIIus /orrflar/usy ^c, aliquam colleSam faciat, Et per *ui' 
^fimi facranuntum XIL Regardatorum^ quando faciunt regardum^ tt fe^ 

SlariJ pwanhtr^ Vc, as, befide authentick MSS. it is exprefly in the 
e charter, almoft word for word, given firft by king John, and 
printed in Matthew Paris ; *twixt which, and that of our*s common- 
ly ready he may be made a time-deferving comparifon. Were it not 
for digreflion, I would fpeak of the fenfelefs making of Boniface, arch- 
bifhop of Canterbury writnefs to the grand charter in 9th Henry III. 
.When as it is plain that he was not archbifhop until the 25th. The 
hdk copy that ever I iaw had Simon archbifhop of Canterbury ; wliidi 
^indeed was worfe, there being no fuch prelate pf that fee in thoic 
times; but the miHake was by the traufcriber's turning tiie (ingle S. (ac- 
cording to the form of writing in that sigc) into Simon for Stephen, who 
was (Stephen of Langton) archbifhop at that time. But 1 forget my* 
felf in foilowiDg matter of my more particular fhidy, and retDint o Mol« 
mntius. His conftitution being general for liberty of highways, contro* 
verfy grew about the courfe and limits of them ; whereupon his fon 
iittg l^lin, to Quit the fubje^l of that doubt, caus'd more efpecially thefe 
four, here prefentl> fpoken of, to be made, which might be for in- 
.terrupted pafiage, both in war and peace ; and hence by the author 
they are called Military (a name given by the Romans to fuch high- 
.ways, as were for their marching armies) and indeed by more pcSite 
conceit^ and judicious authority thefe our ways have been thought a 
work of the Romans alfo But their courfes are differently reported, 
and in fome part their names alfo. The author calls them Watling- 
fireet, theFofTe,. Ikinild, and Rickeneld. This name of Rickeneld is 
In Randal of Chefler, and by him derived from S. Dewy 's in Pembroke 
into Hereford, and fo through Worceller, Warwick, Derby, and 
york-fhires toTinmoudi, wiiich (upon the author's credit reporting it 
^me] is alfo jurtifiable by a very ancient deed of lands, bounded near 
Bermingham in Warwlcklhire by Rickeneld. To endeavour certainty 
in them, were but to obtrude unwarrantable cor.jedure, and abufe time 

and 

1 34. EJ. !♦ XtlOUrv sr- ^- ^''^ ^" I " Or-gival. fit. 97. b, Cbarta de For^ 
{hid. i94.11 /7t-«, ^JU. I. i^ Ed, it %A ad MS, ernendat. 
M\X^,^il\^^^i*9*il''^ ^ xK Camden Rman, 



SONG THE SIXTEENTH. 967 

and you. Of Watiing (who is here pcrfonatcd, and fo much the more 
proper, becaufe Vcrlam was called alfo by the Englifh, t Watling- 
chefter) it Is faid that it went from Dover in Kent, aad fo bv w^..of 
London) yet part of theludne Teems to thisf dky left in the miodle dT the 
city] to this place, and thmce in a crooked line through Shrop(hire by 
Wrekin hill into * Cardigan ; but * others fay from V«rlam to Chcf- 
ter ; and where all is retcr'd to ielin by GeiGrey ap Arthur, and Poly- 
chronicon, another t. telk you that tht fons of (I know not what)king 
Wethle made, and denominated it. The Foffc is derived, by one 
confent out of Cornwall into Devonfliire, through Somerfet, over Cotef- 
wold by Teukeflniry, along near Coventry, to Leicefter, through lin- 
colnto Berwick, and thence to Caithndi the utmoft of Sciida^. Of 
reftitution of the other you may be defperate ; Rickeneld I have toU 
you of i in Henry of Huntingdon, no fuch name is found, but with the 
firfl: two, Ickenild and Brmingftreet. Ickenild, faith he, goes from 
Eail to Weft : Ermingftreet, from fouth to north : aiother tells me» 
that Ermingftreet bedns at S. Dewy*8, and conveys itfelf to &)uthamp- 
ton i which the au^or hath attributed to Ichmng, be^A upon the 
word's community with Icens) in the eaftem parts. It tt lot in my 
power to reconcile all tbefe, or ela& the beft; I only add, that Er- 
mingftreet, which being of Englifli idiom, feems to have ha^ ^^ ^^^"^ 
from Inmunpill in that ^ification whercW it ^ interprets an univerfal 
pillar worfliip*d for Mercury, prcfident or ways, is like enough (if 
Huntii^don oe in the right, mucing it from fduth to north) to have 
left its part in Stanftreet in Surrey, where a way made with' (tones and 
gravel in a foil on both fides very different continuet near a mile ; 
and thence towards' the eaftem fhote in Suffex arefome places feeming 
$8 Other relicks of it. But I here determine nothing. 

y Lbuid, Breviar, Brit. t b Riga^ ttokftdtnpMrt i,fi/. 148. 

s Polyebron. lib, i« tap, it flat, n^. I c A&m, BrmMf, bip, Etckf, caf* 5. 

a Henrie, Huntingd^ bfp» 1. land fee to the 3d long, 

■' r\ 

-A 




R r r 1 POLr^ 



( 96S ) 

POL r^O L B ION: 

SONG THE SEVENTEENTH. 

The Argument. 

^0 Midway^ Tames ajutergoes ; 

But fancies Mole^ as forth heflottfs. 

Her mother^ Homefdale^ holds her in : 

She digs through ea^tb^ the Tames to win. 

Great Tames j as king ofrtvers^ Jings 

The eatalogue of tVEnglifb kings. 

Thence the light mufe^ to tVfouthward foars^ 

The Surrian and Suffexianfiores ; 

The Forefls and the downs furveys^ 

With rillets running to thofe feas 5 

Tiisfong of hers then cuttetbjhort^ 

For things tpcome^ of much import. 

AT length it came to pils, that Ifis and her Tame 
Of Medway undcrftood, a ny niph of wondrous faine^ 
And much defirous . were, their princely Tames fliould 

prove 
If (as a wooer ) he could win her maiden-love •, 
That of fo great defcent» ftnd pf fo large a dower. 
Might well ally their houfe, and much ificreafe his power \ 
And ftriving to prefer their fon, the beft they may, 
Set forth the lufty flood in rich and brave array, 
Bankt with imbroderM meads, of fundryfutes of flowers, 
His breaft adorn*d with fwans, oft w^fh? with filvcr 
fliowcrs: 

A 



SONG THE SEVENTEENTH. 969 

A train of gaJlanc floods, at fuch a coftly rate 
As might befeem their care, and fitting his eftatc. 

Attended and attir'd magnificently thus. 
They fend him to the court of great Oceanus, 
The world's huge wealth to fee 5 yet with a full intent. 
To woe the lovely nymph, fair Medway, as he went. 
Who to his dame and fire his duty fcarce had done. 
And whil*ft they fadly wept at parting of their fon. 
Sec what the Tames bcfel, when 'twas fufpefted leaft. 

As (till hts goodly train yet every hour increaft. 
And from the Surrian (hores clear Wey came down to meet 
His greatnefs, whom the Tames (o gracioufly doth greet^ 
That with the • fcrn-crown'd flood he minion-like doth 

play : 
Yet is not this the brook, enticeth him to day. 
But as they thus, in pomp, c^me foorting on the (hole, 
Gainft Hampton-court be meets the fbft and gentle Mote. 
Whoie eyes {o pierc'd his breaft, that Teeming to foreflow 
The way which he (b k>ng intended was to go. 
With trifling up and down, he wand'reth here and there i 
And that he in her fight tranfparent mig^t appear, 
AppHes himfelf to fo^s, and fetceth his delight 
On that whkh moft might make him gracious in her fight 

Then Ifis and^thc Tame from their conjoyned bed, 
Defirous ftill to learn how Tames their fon had fped 
(For greatly they had hop*d, his time had fo been fpent, 
That he ere this had won the goodly heir of Kent) 
And fending to enquire, had news retumM again 
(By fuch as they imploy*d, on purpbfe in his train) 
How this their only heir, the Iflc's emperial flood. 
Had loitered thus in love, neglectful ot his good. 
No marvail (at the news) though * Oufe and Tame were 
(ad^ 
More comfort of their fon expcfting to have had. 
Nor blame them, in their looks much forrow thoogh diey ' 

ihow'd : 
Who fearing left he might thus meanly be beftowM, 

R r r 4 And 

! Omiit%hyFpnBiiMm, fo called of Fcra therepewttj. ^ JOk* 



970 P O L r^O L B I Nz 

And knowing dangn* ftUl iRcreafcd by delay, 
Employ their utmoft power to haften him away. 
But Tames would hardly on : oft turning back, to fliow 
From his much-loved Mole how loth he was to go. 

The mother of the Mole, old "" Homefdale, likewife 
bears 
Th'affeftion of her child, as ill as tbcy do theirs : 
Who nobly though deriv'd, yet could have been coriKpt 
T'have matcbt her with a flood of fa** more mean defcent. 
But Mole reipedts her words as vain and idle dreams. 
Compared with that high joy to be bclpv'd of Thames ; 
Apd headlong holds her courfe, his company to win. 
But Homefdale raifed hills, to keep the ftraggler in ; 
That of her daughter's (lay fhe need no more to doubt : 
(Yet never was there help, but love could find it out.) 
§^ Mole digs her lelf a path, by working day and niglit 
(According to her name, to fhew her nature right) 
And underneath the earth for three miles fpace doth creep ; 
Till gotten out of fight, quite from her mother's keep. 
Her fore-intended coqrfe the wanton nymph doth run i 
As longing to iffibrace old Tame and Ifis' Ton. 

When Thames now underflood what pains the Mob 
did take. 
How far the loving nymph adventured for his lake , 
Although with Medway matcht, yet never could remove 
The often-quick'ning ^rks of his more ancient love. 
So that it comes to pafe, when by great nature's guidp 
The Ocean doth return, and thrufteth-in the tide ; 
Up tow'rds the place, where firft his much-lov'd Mole wa$ 

feen, 
§. He ever fince doth flow beyond delightful Sliene*. 

Then Wandal cometh in, the Mole-s beloved mate. 
So amiable, fair, fo pure, fo delicate, 
So plump, fo full, fo frefh, her eyes fo wondrous clear : 
And firft unto her Lord, at Wandfworth doth apppear, 
That in the goodly Court of their great foveraign Thames, 
There might no other fpcech be had amongft the ftreams, 

Buc 

^ A very woody vale in Surry. I * Thames ebbs and flows be- 

lyond Bkhmonid. 



SONC THE SEVENTEENTH. 971 

But only of this nymph, fweet Wandal, what (h'e wore ; 
Of her completion, grace, and how her felf fhc bore. 
But now this mighty flood, upon his voyage preft 
(That found how with his ftrength, his beauties ilill increaft^ 
From where brave Windfor ftood on tip-toe to beJiold 
The fair and goodly Thames, fo far as ere he could. 
With kingly houfes crown'd, of more than earthly pride. 
Upon his either banks, as he along doth glide) 
With wonderful delight' doth his long court purfue, > 
Where Otlands, Hampton Court, and Richmond he doth 

view. 
Then Wcftminftcr the next great Tames doth entertains- 
That vaunts her palace large, and her moil: fumj>tuousfane t. 
;Thc land's tribunal feat that challergeth for her's, 
The ccowning of our kings, their tamous fepulcfares. 
Then goes ht on along by that more beauteous (Irand, 
' Expreffing both the wealth and bravery of the land. 
(So many fumptuous bowers, within fo little fpace. 
The alkbeholding fun fcarce fees in all his race.) 
And on by London leads, which like a crefcent lies, 
Whofe windows feem to mock the ftar-befrecklcd (kies ; 
Befides* her rifing fpires, fo thick themfelves that fhow. 
As do the brifUing reeds within his banks that grow. 
There fees his crouded wharfs, and people-peft*red fhores. 
His bofom ovcr-Ipread with fhoals of labouring oars : 
i With that moft coftly bridge tliat doth him mod renown, 
I By which he clearly puts all other rivers down. 
j Thus furnifhed with all tliat appertain'd to ftate, 
Defired by the floods (his greatnefs which await) 
That as the refl: before, fo fomewhat he would fing. 
Both worthy of their praife, and of himfelf their king i 
A catalogue of thofc, the fceptre here that fwayM, 
The princely Tames recites, and thus his fong he laid : 
j • As bafliard William firft, by conqucfl: hither came, 
' * And brought the Norman rule upon the Englilh name : 
I * So with a tedious war, and almoft endlefs toils, 
( ' Throughout his troul^led reign, here held his hard-got 
' fpoils. 

I « Da- 



(^ 



^7* P Lr^O LB 10 N: 

« Deceafing at the laft, through his unfettled ftate, 
' §. Left (with his ill-got crown) unnatural debate. 

* For, dying at his home, his eldeft fon abroad 

* (Who in the holy-war his pcrfon then bcftowM) 

* Hisfecond, Rufus, next ufurp'd the wronged reign : 
« And by a ikcal dart in his new foreft flain^ 

* Whilft in his proper right religious Robert flcpt, 

* Through craft into the dbrone,theyoungerBeauclcrk crept 

* From whom his fceptre, then, whilft Robert ftrove to wrcft» 

* The other (of his power that amply was poflcft) 
^ With Urn in battle join'd : and in that dreadftil day 

* (Where Fortune (hewM herfelf all human power to fway) 

* Duke Robert went to wreck ; and taken in the flight, 
^ §. Was by that cruel king deprived of his light, 

* And in dofc priibn put \ where miierably he dy*d : 

* But Henry's whole intent was by juft heav*n deny'd, ^ 
^ For, as of light and life he that fad Lord bereft; 
^ So his, to whom the land he purposed to have left^ 

* The ^ raging feas devoured, as hitherward they iail'd. 

* When in this line direft, the Oinqueror's iffue fwl'd, 
< Twixt Henry's daughter Mauld, the Almain emperor'i 

bride 

* (Which after to the earl of Anjou was affyM) 

^ And Stephen earl of BIcms, the Conqueror's fifter's fiXit 

* A fierce and cruel war immediately begun j 

* Who with their feveral powers arrived here fromFrancc, 
^ By force of hoftile ar^ their ritles to advanc^ 

* But Stephen, what by coin, and what by foreign (Irength, 

* Through worlds of danger gain*d the glorious gole at 

length. 

* But, left without an heir, the cmprefs' iffue next, 

* No ride elie on foot ; upon {o fair pretext, 

^ The fecond Henry ibon upon the throne was fet, 

* (Which Mauld to Jeffrey bare) the firft Plantaginet. 

* Who held ftrong wars with Wales, that his fubjeftion 

fpurn'd : 

* Which often rimes he beat, and, beaten oft, returned : 

With 
^ See the laft note of the 4th Song. 



•l 



SONG THE SEVENTEENTH. ^ 

With his ftcrn children vcx'd : who (whil'ft he ttrovc t* 

advance 
His right within this ifle) raisM war on him in France. 
With his high fame in fight, what cold breaft was not fir'd? 
Through all the weftern world, for wifdom moft admxr*d. 
' Then Richard got the rule, his moft renowned fon, 
Whofe courage, him the name of C<r«r de Uon won. 
With th^)fe fird earthly Gods had this brave prince been 

born. 
His daring hand had from Alcides' fhoulders torn 
The Nemean lion's hide : who in the Holy Land 
So dreadful was, as though from Jove andNeptune's hand. 
The thundering three-fork'd fire, and trident he had reft. 
And him to rule their charge they only then had left. 
^ Him John again fucceeds ; who hav'ing put away 
Young Arthur (Richard's Ion) the fceptre took to fway. 
Who, of the comoKMiwealth firft havock having made, 
$i».His iacrilegious hands upon the churches laid, 
In cruelty and rape continuing out hb reign i 
That his outrageous luft and rourfes to reftndn. 
The baronage were forced defenfive arms to raife. 
Their daughters to redeem, that he by force would feizej 
Wbkh the firft ch^il war in England here began. 
^ And for his fake fuch hate his fon young Henry won, 
^ That to depofe their prince,th' revengeful people thouglu:; 

< And/rom the line of France young Lewis to have brougl^ 

< To take on him our rule : but, Henry got the throne, 

* By lus more forceflil friends : who, wife and puiflant grown, 

* f The general charter feiz'd : that into flavery drew 

^ The freeft bom Englifli blood. Of which fuch difcord 
grew, 

* And in the barons breafts fo rough combuffions rais'd, 

^ With much expence of blood as long was not appeas'd^ 
' By ftrong and tedious gufts held up on either fide, 
^ Betwixt the prince and peers, with equal power and pride. 
^ He knew the worft of war, matched with the barons 

ftrong; 
\ Yet vi£bor liv'd, and rogo'd both happily and long. 



1 



974 POL r^O L B 10 N: 

* This long-liv'd prince expir'd : the next fucceeded j hci 

* Of us, that for a god might well related be. 

* OurL^ngihanks, Scotland's fcourge : who to the Oreads 

raught 
^ His fceptre, and with him from wild Albania brought 

* The reliques of her crown (by him firft placed here) 
^ $. The feat on which her kings inaugurated were. 

* He tam'd the defperate Welih, that out ib long had ftood| 
^ And made them take a ^ prince, fprung of the Englilh 

blood. 
^ This ifle from fea to fea, he generally control'd, 

* And made the other parts of England both to hold. 

* This Edward, firft of our's, a fecond then enfiies \ 
'^ Who both his name and birth, by loofenefs did abufe: 

< Fair Ganimedes and fools who rais'd to princely places ; 

* And chofe not men for wit» but only for thdr facet. 
^ in parafites and knaves, as he reposM his truft, 

^ ^Vho footh'd him in his ways aj^parently unjuft % 
^ For that prepofterous fin wherein he did offend^ 
^ In his pc^erbr parts had his prepofterous end. 
^ A third then of that name, amends for this did 
make : 
^ Who from his idle fire ieem'd nought at all to take. 
^ But as his grandfire did his empire's verge advance: 
^ So led he forth hiis powers into the heart of France. 
> And faft'ning on that right he by his mother had, 
^ Againft the Salique law, which utterly forbad 
^ Their women to inherit; to propagate his cauie, 

* AtCrefi^y with his fword firft cancelled thofe laws ! 

* Tlien like a furious ftorm, through troubled France he ran; 
^ And by the hopefiil hand of brave Black-Edwaid wan 

* Proud Poidicrs, where king John he valiandy fubdu'd, 
^ The miferable French and there in mammocks hew'd ; 

^ Then with his battering rams made earthquakes in their 
towers, 

* Till trampled in the duft herielf flie yielded our's. 

.• ;, ■ !^ Sec Song the IXth; 



SONG THsSEVENTEEN'TH. 975 

As mighty Edward's heir, to a lecond Richard then 

* (Son to that famous prince Black-Edward, man of men, 
^ Untimely that before his conquering father dy'd) 

^ Too foon the kingdom fell : who his vain youth apply'd 
^ To wantonnels and fpdl, and did to favour draw 
' Unworthy ignorant fots, mth Inrhofe dull eyes he law : 
' Whoplac'd their likein court, and made them great in ftate 
^ ( Wlikh wife and virtuous men, beyond all plagues, 

might hate.) 
^ To whom he blindly gave: who blindly ipent again^ 
^ And oft oppreft his land, their riot to maint^. 
' He hated his allies, and the deferving ftarv'd -, 
^ His minions and his will, the gods he only ferv'd : 
' And finally^ deposM, as he was ever friend 
^ To ribaulds, fo agun by villains had his end. 

* Henry the fon of Gaunt, fupplanting Richard, then 

* Afirended to the throne : when difeontented men, 

* Defirous firft of change, which to that hdght himbrought, 

* Deceived of thdr ends^ into lus aftions fought ; 

* And as they fet him up, afiay'd to pluck him down : 

* For whom he hardly held his ill-atchieved crown ; 

* That trcafons to fupprefs which oft he did difclofej 

* And railing public arms againft his powerful foes, 

* His ufurpation ftill being troubled to maintain, 

* His fhort difquiet days fcarce raughta peaceful reign. 

* A fifth fucceeds the fourth : but how his father got 

* The crown, by right or wrong* the fon refpedeth not. 

* Nor farther hopes for that ere leaveth to purftie ; 

* But doth his claim to France courageoudy renew ; 

* Upon her wealthy (horcs unlades his warUke fraught 5 

' And (hewing us the fields where our brave fathers fought, 

* Firft drew his fun-bright fword, reflefting fuch a light, 
^ AS(f»it fad guilty France into fo great a fnght, 

^ That her pale genius funk; which trembling feemM to 

ftand, 
^ Wheniirfl he fet his foot on her rebellious land.' 

* if'hat all his grandfire's deeds did over, and thereto 

^ Thofe high acchievemoHs add the former could nor da: 



^7« P&ir^OlBIQI^:' 

« And thfovgb tu^awful might, for tempo«2il &iis dkl {^rf^ 

* T6 other ufeS' erft what frank devotion g»vc •, 

* And here the papal! power, firft utterly* dbrty*d, 

* Defendir ofthefaifb thac wa& inftii^d, anii dy'd. 

^ His fon the empire had, oijr Ed\(^Fd fii]ttktha&made'} 
^ Untitnely as he iprang> untimely who did fad«. 
^ A proteftanc being bred; ai^d in his inlam reigrK, 
J Th' religion then received, here ftoocly did maintairn 
^ But ere he raught eo m»n, from his- 6d; people' relb, 

* His. fcepire he agaia tani^ his fifterS k&. 

- *Of whieh the eic^ of tv^ queeH' Mary^ rftounts tbt 
chair : 

* The ruined Roman- ftate who ftriving fo- repwtf, 

* With perfecuting hands thePtoteftaats-piwfia^d ; 

* Whofc martyred tffliesidftche wond'idngftreetsbeftreW^d. 

* She matched' hcrfHf wiA' Spain, and brought Jawg Philip 

hither, 

* Which with aa equial hand^ the foeptre fway^d togedier. 
^ But iffiaclefs 9i^ dy M ; and under fix years Feign, 

* To her wife fifter gave the Idngdom up again. 

* Elizabeth, chenexic, this falling fceptife hent v 

* Digreffing from- her fex, with mam^like governmenc 

* Thfe^ ifland- kept in awe, and did her power exceed 
^ AfBifted* France to aid^ her own. a& go defend ; 

* Againft th'Iberian rule, the Flemings- fiire defence : 

* Ri«telreland*s deadly fcourge-, wtiafent hep navies hence 

* Unto the either Ind'e, and to thut ihore fo grecn^ 

* Virginia which we call of her, a virgin queen : 

* In Pormgal 'gainft Spain^ her Engliih enfigns fptfead ; 
.' Took Cales, when from her aid the brav'd Iberia fled. 

* Moft flourifliing in date : that, all our kings, among 

* Scarce any nilM fo* well : but ^ Cwo, that reignM fo^tei^. 

Here fuddenly he ftaid : and with his kingly fong, 
Whaft yet on every fide the city toudly nsng. 
He with the eddy wrn'd, a fpace to look about : 
The dde, letiring foon> did ftrongly thi^ hkfi- our. 

And 

r , 

». 

? Hen. in. & Ed. III. 



SONG this 5fiVENTEEMT«. 979 

And loon the pliant mufe, doth her brave wing ad vance^ 
TowVds thofefca-bord'ringfhores ofour's, that point at 

France ; 
The harder Surreyan heath, and the Suflexian down. 
Which with lb great increafe though nature do not crown, 
As many other fhires of this inviron'd Ifle , 
Yet on the * weather's head, when as the fun doth fmile^ 
Nurfl: by the Southern winds, that foft and gently blow. 
Here doth the lufty fap as foon begin to flow ; 
The earth as foon puts on her gaudy fummer^s fute ; 
The woods as foon in green, and orchards great with fruit. 
To fca-ward, from the feat where firft our fong bcgUn, 
Exhaled to the fouth by the afcending fun^ 
Fourflatcly wood-nymphs Hand on the Suflexian ground. 
Great " Andredfweld's fometimc 1 whoj when (he did 

abound 
In' circuit and in growth, all other quite fupprefl: : 
But on her wane of pride, as (he in ftrength decre^O:, 
Her nymphs affum'd the names, each one to her delight. 
As, Water-down, focaird ofherdeprefled fite: 
And Afli-down, of thofe trees that mofl: in her do grow, 
Setiiigher to the downs, as th^other flandeth low. 
Saint Leonard's, of the feat by Whidli ftie next is placM, 
And Whord, that with the like delighteth to be graC'd. 
Thefe forefl:s, as I fay, the daughters of the Weald 
(That in their heavy breaft:s had long their grief concealed) 
f orefeeing their decay each hour fo faft came on, 
Under the ax's fbx)ak fetchc many a grievous groan. 
When as theanviPs weighty and hammer*s dreadful found, 
E*i€n^rent the hollow woods, and Ihook the queachy ground . 
^b-chat^he^trembling nymphs, oppr(;ft through ghaftly fear, 
Ran madding to the downs, with loofe difticVeird hair. 
The SylvanS that about the neighbouring woods did dwell. 
Both in the tufty frith and in the mofTy fell, 
Foribdk^their gloomy bowers, and wandred jar abroad, 

Sff Ek* 

• y The fun in Aries; , 
m A forcft, containing mfitt part of Kent, and Sorttjri 



980 P O L r^O L B I N: 

ExpclPd their quiet feats, and place of their abode. 
When labouring carts they faw to hold their daily trade, 
Where they in fummer wont to fport them in the (hade. 

* Could we, fay they, fuppofe, that any would us cherifli, 

* Which fuffer (every day) the holieft things to perifh ? 

* Or to our daily want to minifter fupply ? 

' Thcfe iron times breed none that mind pofterity. 

* 'Tis but in vain to tell, what we before have been, 

* Or changes of the world, that we in time have feen ; 

* When, not devifing how to fpend our wealth with waftc, 

* We to the lavage fwinc let fall our larding mail, 
,* But iiow, alas, ourfelves we have not to fuftain, 

* Nor can our tops fufRce to Ihield our roots from rain. 

* Jove's oak, the warlike alh, vein'd elm, the fofter beech, 
^ Short haze), maple plain, light afp, the bending wych, 

* Tough holly, and fmooth birch, muft altogether burn: 

* What (hould the builder fcrve, fupplies the forger's turn ; 
^ When under publick good, bafe private gain takes ImU, 
^ And we poor woful woods to ruin laftly fold. 

This uttered they with grief: and more they would ban 

Ipoke, 
But that the envious downs, int*open laughter hrpke ; 
As joying in thofe wants, which nature them had ^ven, 
Sith to as great diftrefs the fbrefts fhould be driven. . 
Like him that long time hath another's ftatc envy'dj. 
And fees a following ebb, unto his former tide ; 
, The more he is depreft, and bnus'd mth fortune's mi^t. 
The larger rein his foe doth give to his defpight : 
So did the envious downs ; but that again the floods 
( Their fountwis that derive from theie unpitied woods. 
And fo much grace thy downs, as through their dales they 

creep. 
Their glories to convey unto the Celdck deep) 
It very hardly took, much murmuring at their pride. 
Clear Lavant, that doth keep the Southamptoniaa fide . 
^Dividing it well near froip the Sufiexian lands 
That Sclfey doth furvey, and Solent's troubled lands) 

To 



SOl^G THE SEVENTiSENTH. 981 

To Chichefter their wrongs impatiently doth tell : 

§. And Arun (which doth name the beauteoiis Arundel) 

As on her courfe fhe came^ it to herforeft told. 

Which, nettled with the news^ had not the power to 

hold: 
But breaking into rage^ wilht tempefts thehi ixiight rive ; 
And on their barren fcalps, ftill flint and chalk might thrive^ 
The brave and nobler woods which bafely thus upbraid. 
§. And Adur coming on, to Shoreham fofdy IHd, 

*' '1 he downs did Vefy ill, poor woods fb to debafe.'* 
But now, the Oufe, a nymph of very fcornful grace^ 
So touchy waxt therewith, and was fo Iqueamifh grown. 
That her old name fhe fcorn'd fhould publickly be known. 
Whofe haven out of mind when as it almoft grcw^ 
The ktely-pafled times denominate the new. 
So Cucmer with the reft, put to her utmoft might : 
As Afliburn undertakes to do the forefts right 
(At Pcmfey, where fhe pours her foft and gentler flood) 
And Aften, once diflain*d with native Epglifh blood i 
(Whofe foil, when yet but wet with any little rainij ^ 
§. Doth blufh ; ad put in mind of thofe there ladly flaini 
When HafUngs haribour gave unto the Normaii powers, 
Whofe name and honors now are denizen^ for oiirs) 
That boding ominous brooks it through the forefts rting : 
Which echoing it again the mighty Weald along. 
Great ftir was like to grow -, but that the mufe did charm 
Their furies, and her felf for nobler things did arni^ 

ILLUSTRATIONS* 

A Peer your travels (thus led by the mufe) through the inlands^ out 
oftfaeWelfii cpaft maritini0, here are you carried into Surrey 
ftnd SnfieXy the fout^ern (hires from London to the ocean : and Thames, 
Us king of all our rivers, fummarily fings the king^ of England^ from 
Norman William to yeflcrdayVage. 

Mok digs her felf a pathj by working day and night. ^ 

This Mole runs into the earth, about a mile from Darking in Surrey, 
and after fome two miles fees the light again, which to be certain hath 
been affirmed by inhabitaaU thereab6ttt repoxttPg trial made of it. Of 

Sffz >iM^ 



•982 



P L r-0 L B 10 N: 



the river Deveril nearWarminfter in Wiltfhire is faid as much ; and more 
of Alpheus running but of Elis (a part of the now Morea, anciently Pe- 
loponnefus ip Greece) through the vail Ocean to Arethufa in a little 
jfle (clofe by Syracufe of Sicily) callM Grtygia, and thither thus 
coming unmixt with the Tea, which hath been both tried by a * cup, 
loft in Elis, and other fluff of the Olympian facriiices there call up, and 
' Is juiUiied alfo by cxprefs aifertion of an old ^ oracle to Archias, a 
CorintDian, advifing him he (hould hither deduce a colony. 



'Ir AX(p^ ^o/Jta ^Auf «5 



Like this, « Paufanias reckons more ; ^ Erafin in Grcce, Lycas « tkat 
tuns into Meander, ^ Tiger, and divers others, fome remember for 
fuch quality. And Guadiana (the antient limit of Portugal sind the 
Baetique Spain) is fpecially famous for this form of fubterranean courfe: 
which although hath been thought fabulous, yet by fome learned' and 
judicious of that s Country, is put for an unfeigned truth. 

He everfince doth flow b^ond delightful Sheene. 

Mole's fall into Thames is near the utmoft of the flood, whlph fiom 
the German ocean, is about fixty miles, fcarce equalled (1 thitdty by any 
otl^r river in Europe; whereto you may attribute its condnniflgio 
Jong a courfe, nnlefs to the diurnal motion of the heateii9» or moon, 
from eaft to weft (which hardly in any other river of note falling kto 
fo great a fea, will be found fo agreeable, as to this, flowing the fime 
way)and to the e&finefs of the clUnnel being not over cieeky, I cannot 
guefs. I indine to this of the heavens, becaufe fuch ^ teftiJ&ony it of 
die ocean's perpetual motion in that kind ; and whether it be for fre- 
quency of a winding, and thereby more refilling fhore, or for any other 
reafon judicially not yet difcovered, it is certain, that onr coaAs are 
mod famous for the greateft difierences by ebbs and floods before aU 
other whatfoever. 

Left with his ill-got crown unnatural debate. 

See what the ma,tter of defcent to. the fourth foqg tells you cif his 
title ; yet even out of his own mouth, as part of his laift will andt^- 
ment, theie words iare reported; ^ Icmjiitute.no beiroftbe crtiumtf 
England : but to the uninjerfal creator^ nvhofi I oMif and in wiofi imd 
are all things^ I commend it. For 1 had it not hy inheritance , tut ^th 
Mrefilctrnfta^ md much ejufion rf blood I took it frmm that tnjnr'd 

BaroUf 

^ a Strdh Geography f I ^ ^^» S PeHiym 

' b Paufam, Etitfc, f . , I ^ 7«/»». hi/f. ^t* 

c Thtre A^iMit fpiUBHUi $pl», di- i c tM^ Ivmw *• FifnuBtlpa* . 
bracing hir jiretbufa» I h Scalig, de /mMBt^ txercitat, at. 

d Utrodtt, bifi. r. \ '^ G«iK Pi»««c«^ ta ki^^ ^odmtftf. 



SONG THjE SEVENTEENTH. 983 

HaroiJy and hy death of his favorites , have 1 fuhdued it to Ttef empire. 
And fomtwhat after i Therefore 1 dare not bequeath the fcefter of this* 
kingdom to any hut to God alone y left after my death nuorfe troubles hap- 
pen in it by w^ occafion. For my Jon William (always, as it became hi/n, 
obedient to me) I wijh that God may give him his graces, and that, if Jo 
it pleafe the Almighty, he may reign after me. 7'his William the 
fecond ( called Rufus) was his fecond Ton, Kobert his eldcA having upoQ 
difcoDtent (taken becaufe the dnkedom of Normandy, then as it were 
by birth -right, nearly like the principality of Wales anciently, or 
^utcliy of Cornwal at this day, belonging to our kings heirs apparent, 
-was deny'd him) revolted unnaturally, and moved war aginit him, 
aided by Philip I. of France, which caufed his merited dilinheritance. 
Betwixt this William and Robert, as aifo betwixt him and Henry I.- 
all brothers (and funs to the conqueror) were divers oppofitions for the 
Ijpingdom and dukedom, which here the author alludes to. Our flories 
III every hand inform you : and will difcover aKo the conqueror's 
i^pcion by the ConfeHbr, Harold's oath to him, and fuch inilitutiona 
gfj^s lawful title enforced by a cafe ^ reported of one Englilh, who, 
deriving his right from Seifm before the conquefl, recovered by judg« 
ment of king William J. the mannor of Sharbon in Norfolk againli 
que Warren a Norman, to whom the king had before granted it : which 
had been unjuft, if he had by right of war only gotten the kingdom ; 
for then had ' all titles of fubjeds before, been utterly extintfl. Bat, 
(admit this cafe as you pleaie, or any caufe of right befide his fword) 
k is plain that his wiU and imperious aSedion (mov*d by their rebeU 
liooi which had ilood for the fworn Harpld) difpos'd all things as a 
capiqiieror : Upon obfervation of his fubjedion of all lands to tenures, 
hia change of laws, difinheriting the Englilhy and fuch other reported 
(which could be but where the profitable dominion, as civilians call it^ 
wi^ aniverfally acquired into the prince's hand) and in reading the dii- 
gni^ceful accQunt then made of the Engliih name, it will be manifell. 

IFho by a fatal dart in vaji New Forejijlain. 

His death by an infortunate loofing at a deer out of one Walter Tir- 
rel's hand in New Foreft, his brother Richard being blalled there with 
infe£llon, and Richard, duke Robert's fon, having his neck broken 
there in a bough's twill catching him from his horfe, have beien thought 
as divine revenges oh William the firft, who deilroy'd in Hantihire 
^6 p.arifli churches to make dens for wild beafts ; although it is probable 
ctaOQgh, that it was for fecurity of landing new forces there, if the 
ivlied of fortune, or change of Mars, ihoald have difpofTeft him of the 
Sagiiih crown. Our ftories will of thefe things better inilrud you : but/ 
if you feek Matthew Paris for it, amend the abfurdity df both the 
LgndoD and Tigurin prints in An. 1086. and for Rex mag^ifaus & JMur 

Sff3 indoUs 

k Anti^, Scbed, in Icen, Camd^ • vifendi funt Hottwnan, Wufl, q^^fi* 5* 

1 Asqut ad banc rtm enueleatikt dilaeim I Alheric, GentiU dejure Beiii. 3 cap, 5. QJ 
dandam, yure ^ Gentium & AtigUcanOj^ | caf, Cah, in DnCo&lt^i^ 



984 



POL r-0 L B 10 N: 



fndolis adoiefiens. read Rich, matmificus i^c. fiw Richard brother to d^ 
Red Willim * . 

ff^as by that cruel king deprived of bis fight. 

Thus did the conqueror -s pofterity unquictly poflefs their father's inr 
«eritancc. William had much to do with his brother Robert, juftly 
grudgingat his afurping the crown from right of primo^niture j birt 
JO much the lefs, in that Robert with divers other German and French 
princes left all private refpedb for the holy war, which after the croifii 
undertaken (as thofe tinies ufed) had moft fortunate fuccefs in recovery 
of PaJeftine. Robert had no more but the duchy of Normandy, nor 
that without fwords often drawn, before bis holy expedition : about 
which (having firft offer of, but reifufing the kingdom of JerufalcmJ 
after he had lome five' years been abfent, he returned into England,* 
finding his younger brother (Henry I.) exalted into his hereditary- 
throne. For, although it were undoubtedly agreed thiat Robert waa 
ridcft fon of the conqueror ; yet the pretence which gave Henry the 
crown (befide the means of his working favorites) was, that he wt» 
the only ifTue bom after his father was a king : upon which point a 
great queftion is difputcd aniong ® civilians. Robert was no fooner 
rcturn'd into Normandy, but prefently (firft animated by Randal 
bifhop of Durham, a great difturber of the common peace betwixt the 
prince and fubjedl by intolerable exadlions and unlimited injuftice under 
William II. Whofe p chief juftice it feems he was, newly efcapcd out of 
prifon (whither for thofe ftate-mifdemeanors he was committed by 
Henry) he difpatches and interchanges intelligence with moft of the 
baronage, daimmg his primogeniture-right, and thereby the king- 
dom. Having thus gain'd to him moft of the Bnglifti nobility, he 
lands with forces at Portfmouth, thence marching towards Win-r 
chefter : but before any encounter the two brothers were perfwaded to 
a pfsace ; covenant w^s made and cpnfirmed by oath of twelve barons, 
on both parts, that Henry fhould pay him yearly 2000 pounds of 
iilver, and that the furyiypr of them fhould inherit, the other dying 
without iiTue. This peace, upon denial of paynient (which had th^B 
better colour, becaufe^, at requeft of queen Maud, the duke prodigally 
releafed his 2000 pounds the next year after the covenant) was foon 
broken. The kmg (to prevent what mifchief might follow a fecond 
arrival of his brother) affifted by the greateiJ favours of Normandy and 
Anjou, bedeged duke Robert in one of his cafUes, took him, brought 
Jbim hon^e captive, and at length ufing that cqurfe (next fecure to 
death) fo often fes^dpf in Choniates, C^tucuzen, and other oriental 
flories, put oi|t his eyes, being all this time imprifoned in Cardiff Caftlci 
in Glamorgan, where he miferably breathed lus laft. It is by Polydore 
added, Out of fome authority, that king Henry after a few years im- 
prifoniment releafed him, and commanded that within 40 days and 

\z houf^ 

JJottm, JHuft. quufi, 1, 
p ^latitatw & ixaffor tPiiuf fi^i, Fkr^ JFigt & MungfbQrm iurba% 

V 



SONG THE SEVENTEENTH. 985^ 

I a iMHin (tKeie hoars have in them time of two floods^ or. a flood and . 
an ebb) he fiiould^p abjuring England and Normand/, pafs the feas as 
in perpetual exile s and that in the mean time, upon new treafons at- 
tempted by him, he was fecondly commkted* and endured his punifh- 
ment and death, as the common monks relate. I find no warrantable 
authority that makes me believe it*: Yet, becaufe it gives fome .kind 
of example of our obfoletelaw of abjuration (which it (eems had its be- 
ginning from one of the ftatutes publiihed under name of the ConfelTor) 
a word or two of the time prefcribed here for his paflage : which being 
examined upon Bra6lon*5 credit, makes the report therein faulty. For 
he feems confident that the forty days in abjuration, were afterward 
induced upon the ftatute of ^ Clarindon, which gave the accufed of 
febny or treafon, although quitted by the Ordel (that is, judgment by 
water or fixc^ but the fiatute publifhed, fpeaks only of water, being the 
common trial of meaner ' perfons) forty days to pafs out of the realm 
with his fubflance, which to other felons taking (andluary and confefiing 
to the coroner, he affirms not grantable ; although John le Breton is 
i^nft him, giving this liberty of time, accounted after the abjuration 
to be fpent in the fanduary, for provifion of their voyage necefifiries, 
after which complete, no man, on pain of life and member, is to 
fnpply any of their wants. I know it a point very intricate to deter- 
mine, observing thefe oppoiite authors and no exprels refolution. Since 
them, the oath of abjuration publifhed among our manual ilatutes 
nearly agrees with this of duke Robert, but with neither of thofe okl 
lawyers. In it, after the felon confeiTes, and abjures, and hath his 
port appointed } Jnvii/ (proceeds the oath) diligetitly indea*vour to pafs ovtr 
ai thia fort^ and luill not deletf tints then above a flood and an ebhp 
tf I m»^ berve fajfage in that' /pace i if not ^ Ifviilevery day go into the 
feu up to the knees^ offaying to go over^ and unUfs I may do this *within 
fnriy cBntinualdaySy 1 luill return to the fanSuary^ as a felon of our krd the 
Idmgi fo God me help, is^c. So here the forty days are to be fpent 
abont the pa£age, and not in the fanduary ; compare this with other 
' authorities, and you (hall find all fo difTonant, that reconciliation is^ 
impofiible, refolution very difficult. I only offer to their confideration, 
which can here judge, why Hubert de Burch (earl of Kent, and chief 
jiiftice of England under Henry III.) having incurrM theking^s high 
difpieafore, and grievouily perfecuted by great enemies, taking fan£lu- 
ary, was, after his being violently drawn out, reftored ; yet that the 
iberifi of Hereford and Efifex were commanded to ward him there, 
and prevent all fuflenance to be brought him, which they did, decer- 
nentes < ihi XL. dierum excubijs obfervare : And whether alfo the fame 
icafon (now unknown to us) bred this fi;>rty days for expe^tion of em- 
barquement out of the kingdom^ which gave it hi another kind fpr 

$ff4 return f 



q Hem^ !• «^, Rog, Hvptd, foi, 314* 

T Giemfih lib, 14, cap, i. tdtterum, 

placet, adeat Jamtm nofirum lib, 2. §. 

f liin* North. 3, £iA 3, Cflrw,' JI3 



LeShtr. ap. Br, tit, Cpren. iSi. K St0m^ 
p fitrdum lib, %, cap, 40* qui de JUegravitir 

& med^if fed iftjauSt* 
t Math, Par. piig. ^oj. 



986 



POL r-0 L B JO N: 



return ? as in cafe of Mjeifif, the law hath ^ been that tha dlifeifor 
could not reenter without adion, unlefs he had as it were ma4e 9|m:^ 
Tent and continual claim, yet if he had been out of the kingdom iafingle 
pilgrimage (that is, not in general voyages to the holy land)*gr in tM 
king's fervice in France, or (o^ he had allowance of forty days, two 
floods, and one ebb^ to come home in, and fifteen days, and ioat 
days, after his return ; and if the tenant had been fo beyond fea, h^ might 
have been eiToigned iie ultra Mure^ and for a year and a day, after whidi 
he had forty days, one flood, and one ebb (which is eafdy underilood 
as the other for two floods) to come into England. This is certain, 
that the fpace of forty days (as a year and a day) hath had witk oi: 
divers applications* as in what before, the aflUe of Frefliforce in citie^. 
and boroughs, and the widow's Quarentine, which feems to have had 
beginningeither of a deliberative time granted to her, to think of hec 
conveniency in taking letters of adminiUration, as in another * country 
the reafon of the like is given ; or elfe from the forty days in the eflbigiv 
of child-birth allowed by the Norman cuiloms. But you miflike thiB 
digreflion. It is reported, that when William the Conqueror in hi« 
death- bed left Normandy to Robert, and England to William the Red, 
this Henry afked him what he would give him ? lao. pgunds ^fjilvir 
(faith he) and be contented^ m^ fin ; y»r, in time^ thou jflpmlt bayg aif 
imhieh If^Jftfif and be greater than either of thy brethren. 

His facrikghus hands upon the Churches laid. 

The great controverfy about ele£bing the arch-bi(hop of Canterbary 

ithe king, as his right bade him, commanding that John bifhop <rf 
Norwich fhould have the prelacy, the pope, being Innocent III. for 
his own gain, aided with fome difloyal monks of Canterbury, defiringi 
and at lafl confecrating Stephen of Langton a cardinal) was firft cam 
of it. For king John would by no means endure this Stejphen, aor 
permit him the dignity after his tmjufl eled^ion at Rome, bqt banifhed 
the monks, and floutly menaces the pppe. He prefently makes delega- 
tion to William bifhop of London, Euiiace of Ely, and Malgere of 
Worcefler, thatthey fhould, with monitory advice, ofter perfwafion XSf 
the king of conformi^ to the Romifh behefl ; if he perfiHed in con- 
flancy, they fhould d<^ounce England under an interdifi. The bifhops 
tell king John as much, who fuddenly, mov*d with imperious afie^ioii' 
and fcof-n of papal ufarpation, fwears, fy God*j toothy if thef •r any •tker^ 
fOAth unadvifed attempt y fuhjeB his kingdom to an interdiSi^ he 'U/euid pn* 
fenti) drive every prelate and priefi ef England to the pope ^ -and confi/caH 
all their fvbfiance^ and of all the Romans amoft^fi them^ he <wonld frjt 
p:tll out their eyes, and cut off their mfes^ and tken fend them aU packings 
with other like threatning terms, which no twithflanding were notable to 
caufe them to defiil ; but within little time following in publick dennn- 
tiation they performed their authority ; and the king, in foqie fort, bb 

tkrea^* 

U BraB, lib, 4,' trail, a£if, Ncv, Dfjl iFid, de Confueti/dine in Ox^nii. %\, ^^, 3. 
^Mp, 5. Gf tib, 5. tra^. He EJfon, cap, 3. lyW. 46. i, 

I X Cvft, Ctnerauix. de ^pQis art, 164* 



SONG THS SEVENTEEN^TH. 9S7 



_ I ; cooimitiCiDg all abbeys and pripries to hymens caftody. 
pad cODipelUng every prieft's concubine to a grievous fine. Thus for a: 
wh0ft CQntUMMd the tetlm without divine facrament^ or exercife, tx- 
Ceplcd ^y confeffion, extreanoi undioa^ and baptifin} the king being 
aUb ^xconuDiinicated, and bwials allowed only in high-ways and 
ditches without ecclefiaflick ceremony, and. (but only by indulgence, 
procur'd by archbifliop Langton, who purchas'd favour that in all the 
monafteries, excepting of White- friers, might be divine fervice once a 
week) had no change for fome four or five years, when the pope in 
a faUcmn council of cardinals, according to his pretended plenary power, 
4epot*d king John, and immediately by his, legate Fandulph offered to 
Fulip If. of France the kingdom of England. This, with fufpicion off 
die fiibje^ hearts at home, and another caufo then more elleemed than 
cither of thefe, that is, the prophecy of one Peter an hermit in York* 
fllive, fbreteiling to his face tbmt before bofy'ThttrfiUtf foikwing be JbwuU U 
n9'kUf^ altered his iliff, and refolute, but too dillurbed affedions ; and 
peilvradcd him by oadi of himfelf and fixteen more of his barons, ta 
sake fobmiffion to the church of Rome, and condefcended to give for 
iamfiiftion, loo« do. do. do. pounds (lerling (that name of Sterling 
3^ began, as I am inll;:uded, in time of Henry II. and had its original 
of aaane from (bme eflerliag, making that kind of mony, which hath 
ita cflbace in particular w^ght and finenefs, not of the darling buxl^ 
as fome,nor of Sterling in Scothnd under Edward I. as others abfurdly ; 
ibr 19 ' records much more ancient the exprefs name Sterlingprum I have 
md) to the clergy, and fubje6l ^ all his dominions to the pope ; and fo 
luMi ftUblation, and after ipore than four years, reieafe of theinteirfsd^. 
i mif the wilUnger to Mtn it all, becanfe you might fee wh^ ii^a- 
rieQfot»t>o&tion, by papal ufnrpation, be endured, and then oonjefbre 
tlui( hiii Violent dealings agxinft the chorch were not without intoIefaUe 
miVQcation, which madcbed rather then amended his troubled fpirits. 
feftty-yoa fluU not find a prince more beneficial to the holy caufe than 
kB, if ybo take his fbnaer part of reign, before this ambitious Stephen > 
df Llu^gton*6 dedion exafperated defire ofsevenge. Moil kind habi* 
tudo tMin wa& betwixt him and the pope, and for alms toward Jeru* 
fide»*« aid he gave the &>rticth part of his revenue, and caufed his baro- 
aagt to fccond his examide. Although therefore he be no ways ex* 
ciileUe of many of thofe nulti, both in government and religion which 
are kid on him, yet it muth extenuates the ill of his adlion, that he was 
fo befieged with continual andundigciUble incentives of the clergy with 
traiterous confidence (Iriking at his crown, and in fuch fort, as huma- 
nity mud have exceeded icjdf, to have indured it with any mixture of 
patience. Nor ever fhall I impute that his wicked attempt offending 
ambafladors, Thomas Hardin^ton, Ralph Fitz-Nicholas, and Robert 
erf" London, to Amiramully, kmg of Morocco, for the Mahometan re- 
Ii|;ioQf fo i^uch to his own wiU and nature, as to the perfecuting bulls, 

in- 



y y9, St§u. in Notii. LonA'm fag, 52. 
J^d.Camd. in Scot, Bucban, aliti, 
% Polydor. htfi, 16. 
f Aorf, e. Rich, I, fin. nt, 13. & 



nKhi in iifdem Arcbimii V, 

b Ante aim dt bit ttnjulendui Jit Matti. 
Pariu 



990 POL r-0 LB 1,0 N: 

muft njAdcrlland thofe charters cancelled at Oxford ; where after rmttf 
rcbellioasy bat provoked oppoiltions, the king at lafl^ by oath of kixni'- 
lelf and his Ton £dward» in full parliament ^ ( having nevertheleik. ofl 
times before made (how of as mach) granted again their deflred freedom : 
which in his fpacious reign was not fo much impcachM by kimfelf, as 
througli ill counfel of alien- caterpillers crawing about 'him» Wng as 
fcourges then fent over into this kingdom. But Robert of Gloceflcr 
ihall fummaiily tell you this^ and give your palate variety.. 

scire merte too t|iat fiere M hi iin% Henry's ra^t 

t\ tirts loni)> uliolU htginm to t%VL ^if xtH^ mai!« 
e afioe ' t^%t h%tViizn t^^t is moose's foiu imtu 
tib ti)0''fctngof Aimaine t^ebettbe tl^t to Irde tiretn Irerfi 

;9lC lir VVilliamde Valence anO fir^ £imer t|)eteta> 
CUt of Wincetre anO fir Guy de Lifcwi alfo 

Z|o?u i^m ano t^?u t^e "^ quene fnas fo timc|> Frenft Ibic 

ib^ottijl^t 
SLfrat of QEnglifl^ men me tola as li^t nmgjlty 
^nt V^t fctng liom let |ier lotll t^iat eac^ teas a0 ftlng 
000 nome poure men so&> ^no ne pateoe mitj^ins- 
SCO eni of t^to hiti^^m put t^ier pletmoe eai? txAi^ 
^ii feoe, ^uf Une oot^ ou iB^ong, uio i^all qu M) rtfllit : 
iSs tm feitli Uie bet|r ftittgs* ur ItitUe Uie molne Oo^ 
fltiD maiti; Engiifs alas IntUw mto |om alfo« 
Sm t^t t^jott OBofies grace tl^e erles at la(t, 
Sub t^ btfl^ of t^ tonfit anb barons befpeake taflf , 
Sliat ttrefctno EngUfmen of ILonbe frit tooloe out cafte, 
3nb V^t long b;ttng abonn. "SPX j^er poer laff e« 
Sliereof ^ ^il nome confetU anb to v^t king |Kf fenb^ 
Co ^ abbe site of Jhi$ lono anb faiciie m[anners am«ho# 
1^ tl^er at lade %ii b^ong^ litm t|»erto 
2Co make a purbetance amenbment to bo, 
3Enb mabe it Ums at Oxenford, t|at lonb te} to f^ste, 
setoff ^viOizr^ as in itt of grace anb fitti; aitb esgi^e^ 
Ktglft abottte miObmer fbnrtene mg|it it lafte 
ac$e eries anb t^e barons liiere toell p ftnbe tuifle 
iaoi to amenbi tfiat lonb as tl^e erle of Gioucetre, 

^r Richard, anO fir Simond erle of Leicetre 



h 42 » Hen, ^, 

i Guy of Lufignan, Wiilism of Va- 
lence, and Athelmar, his half brothers^ 
iem of Ifabcl king John's dowager, daugh- 
ter to Aimar earl of Engolifme, married to 
Hugh RroWR carl of March in Poiters. 

k Richard eavl of Cora^'al, £09 to kiof 
John, 



1 Athelmanis. 

m liliaikor daughter to Ra>m\ind eail 
of Provence, 
n They took, 
o Have, 
p Stcdfaft, 



SONG TiiE SEVENTEENTH, g^i 

' anb fir John le Fiz Gcffry UtOt Ot^et batOITf UlOtllC* 

fao ttfat at laU t\tt king thereto irii fi^totoe, 
Sfi remue t1)t Frenfs men to ^^ libbe htigoMe Tt 
ISSi ^oi loniKs ytt ano tiier anb nc come nog|it ' ase. 

anO to grarttt ' god lawes and t|»e OW Charter alfo 

SDtwt To ofte U3a0 igranteo er, aito To ofte cittoo. 

Bettti(\x}MVft e^artre imaoe and afelefi tuft t^ttt 
r ttie kins ano of ot^er |iei;e mtn tfiat tfiere tDere» 
d)o mime ' teiioc tapers ttje bifl|K)p0 in ^;^ tiono 
3nQ tlie king liimfelf anb ot^er lieije mtn of t|ie louDt 
SDt^e biflEiops " amanfeo all t^iat tbere agon fioere 
3lnii eter eft anoooe tlie latoes VfsA loieo t»ere tbevi^ 
4Kd berninge taperes ; ana fncb a0 lafte, 
WIft ftingano oti^0 feio %mm ano t^t taper» aiMiiii 
' xafte. 

If particulars of the ftory, with precedents and confequents be de- 
£red, abofe ail I fend you to Matthew Paris, and William Rifhanger, 
and end in adding, that thefe £o controverted charters had not their 
.fettled furety until £d. I. fince whom they have been more than thtty 
timei in pvliament confirmed. 

Tie feat on which her kings inaugurated were. 

Which is the chair and'ftone at Weftminfler, whereon our fe v cr ekn s 
are iwu^rated. The ^ Scottiih ftories (on whofe credit, in the ftiil 
part hereof) I importune you not to rely) affirm that the ftone was firft 
in Gallicia of Spain at Brigantia (whether chat be Compollella, asFraads 
Tarapha wills/ or Corunna as Florian del Campo conjefbires, or Be* 
tanfos according to Mariana, I cannot determine) where Gathel, king 
of Scots there, fat on it as his throne : Thence was it brought into 
Ireland by Simon Brech i ft king of Scots tranfplan ted into that ideabout 
700 years before Chrift ; out o? Ireland king Ferguxe (in him, by (bmc, 
is the begtnmng of the now continuing Scottiih reign) about 370 years 
afterwar£, brought it into Scotkmd ; king Kenneth foroe 850 of the in- 
carnation, placed it at the abbey of Scone (in the fherifSom of Perth) 
where the coronation of his fuccefibn was ufual, as of our monarehs 
now at Weftminfter, and in the Saxon times at Kingilon upon Thames. 
This* Kenneth, fome fay, caus'd that diflich to be engraven on it, 

Ni fallat fatum^ Scoii, ^uocumqui kcatum 
Invcnient iafidem, regnare teuentur ibidem, 

—(Whereupon itiscallcdy2i/<»/^w«r«wr inHeft.Boetiusjand indos'd itio 
a wooden chair. It is now at Weftminfter, and on it are the coronatioaa 

of 



t A lain* 
8, Good, 
t KiadJrd Upen^ 



tt Curfed. 

vtHeShr Boetb. bift. T. lo. fif 14, Bm» 
cban, rcr, Sc9tic^ G, ^ 8« 



992 P O L r^O L B 10 Ni 

of our fovereigns ; thither firfl f brought (as the author heic fpcak^ i^ 
snoDg infinite other fpoils, by Edward Longfhanks after his wars and 
vidories againil king John Balliol. 



Their women to inherit- 



So they commonly affirm: bat that denial of fovereignty to thdr 
women coft the lives of many thoufands of their men, both utidcr this 
viflorious Edward, and his Ion the Black Prince* and others of his foe- 
ceiTors. His cafe flood briefly thus : Philip IV. fomamed the Fair, had 
iflue three fons, Lewis the * Contentious, Philip the Long, and Charles 
the Fair, (all thefe fucceflively reign*d after him, and died without iffiie 
inheritable :) he had likewife a daughter Kiibel (I purpofdy omit the 
other, being out of the prefent matter,) married to Edward II. and b 
was mother to Edward IIL The ifTue male of Philip the Fsir tlmi 
failing, Philip ion and heir of Charles earl of Valois, Beaomont, Alenfia, 
Sec. (which was brother to Philip the Fair,) challenged the crown of 
France as next heir male againft this Edward, who anfwered to the ob- 
jections of the Saliqne law, that (admitting it as their aflertion was, yet) 
hewasheirmale although deicended of a daughter: and in a pobUck 
aflfembly of the ftates firft about protedorihip of the womb, (for qncca 
Joan dowager of the Fair Charles, was left with child, bat afterward d^ 
livered of a daughter, Blanch, afterwards dutchefs of Orleans) was thii 
had in a folemn difputation by lawyers on both fides,and a[mlied at length 
alfo to the direft point of inheriting tlie crown. What mllowed npoB 
judgment given againft his right, ue valiant and funoos deeds of him 
and his Englifh, recorded in Walfingham, Froifiart, ^milius, and An 
multitude of later colle^ed ftories make manileft. Bat for the law itiUf 
tvtry mouth fpeaks of it ; few, I think, underftand at all why they 
name it. The opinions are, that it being part of the ancient laws 
made among the Salians (the iame with Franks) under king PharamoBd 
about 1 200 years iince, hath thence denomination ; and Goropius (that 
fetches all out of Dutch, and more tolerably perhaps this than maaf 
other of his etymologies) deriving the Salians name from iMip which 
in contradion he makes from iS^abtl ^ * (inventors whereof the Franktr 
faith he, were) interprets them as it were Horfemen, a name fitly applied 
to the warlike and moil noble of any nation, as ' Cbivalers in French, 
and Equites in Latin allows likewife. So that, apon colledion^ the 
Salique law by him is as much as a chivalrous law, ,and Salique land, 
^tue ad equeftrii ot dints dignitatem isf incapite/itnmo, &f iff dettriimmins 
confir'Vttndum pertinebat : which very well agrees with a* fentence givea 
in the parliament at fiourdeaux upon an ancient teflament devifing ll 
the teftator's falique lands, which was^ in point of judgment interpre^ 



f 1*97. 24 £</. L 

y Frarcii'. Uh. 2. 
• As cur word ludiilc* 



s Knights* 

a Bcdin, de Uepub. 6. cap, 5. vii, 
Bartb. Cbafan. Conf. Burgundy BMbiK, 3. 
§.5, num. 70* 



SONG THE SEVENTEENTH. 993 

ed b Fief. And who knows not that Fiefs were originally military 
gifts. But then, if fo, how comes Salique to extend to the crown, which 
is meerly without tenure ? Therefore ^ Ego /do (faith a later \dwytx]legem 
fri<vatofaUcam agere de patrimonio tantum. It was coinpos*d (not this a* 
lone, but with others as they (ay) by Wifogaft, Bodogaft, Salogaft, 
and Windogafty wife counfellors about that Pharamond^s reign. The 
text of it in this part is offered us by Claude de SeiiTell bilhop of Mar* 
fiUes, Bodin, and divers others of the French, as it were as ancient as 
the origin of the name, and in thefe words D% terra Jalica nulla portio 
hariiitaiis muUiri <veniaty fed ad wirilem fexum iota terra bereditas 
perviniat ; and in fubftance, as referM to the perfon of the king*s heir 
ftmale ; fo much is remembered by that great civilian ^ Baldus, and 
divert others, but rather as cuftom thaa any particular law, as one ' of 
^t kingdom alfo hath exprefly and newly written ; Ce iCefi point sine fy 
icritte, mats nee avec nousy que nous n^avons point iwoentee^ mais favons 
*fenff€ dt la nature tneme, qui le nous a ainfi apris tf donne cet infiinS : 
Bat why the fame author dares affirm tliat lung Edward yielded opoii 
this point to the French Philip de Valob, I wonder, feeing all flory and 
curiage of ftate in thofe times is fo manifeftly oppofite. Becanas un- 
dertakes a conjeAure of the firft caufe, which occluded Gynxcocracy 
unong them, gueffing it to be upon their obfervation of the misfortune 
1b war, which their neighbours the Bruderans (a people about the now 
Over-Yflel in the Netherlands, from near whom he, as many other, firft 
dttive the Franks) endurMin time of Vefpafian, under the condudt and 
cdi^reof one s Velleda, a lady even of divine efleem amongft them. 
Bbtliowfoever the law be in truth, or interpretable, (for it might ill 
befeem me to offer determination in matter of this kind) it is certain, 
that to this day, they have an nfe of ancient ^ time which commits to 
Che care of fome of the greateft peers, that they, when the queen is in 
ckiM-birth, be prefent, and warily obferve left the ladies privily (hould 
counterfeit the inheritable fex, by fuppofing fome other made when the 
tme birth is female, or, by any fuch means, wrong their ancient cuftom 
soya], as of the birth of this prefent Lewis the XIII. on the kift of Sep- 
tember in 160 1, is, after other fuch remembered. 

Of thefe twofaSlionsftiPd^ of Tor k and Lane after. 

Briefly their beginning was thus : Edward the Illd had feven fons,Ed'' 
ward the Black' Prince, f William of Hatfield, Lionel duke of Clarence, 
Um cf Gaunt duke of Lancafter, Edmund of Langley duke of York, 
Thomas of Woodftock, and William of Windfor ; in prerogative of 
Urth as I name them. The Black Prince died in life of his father, 
lemag Richard of Bouideaux (afterward the II.) William of Hatfield 

died 



b Knights fees, or lands held* 

c Fgul. Mend. Cofnug, part^ «• /. 3. 
e^. 17. 

d M /./. de Senatorib, 

f HSunwc Bigtm^ ie Piftftl^ del Mes, 
Hvn 3, 



g V, Tacit, hif. 4. 
h Rtiulfh, Boter, Comtrumtar, S. 
•I* Ex Arelnv^ Pari, i . Ed* 4.. ia luetm 
edit, 9 Ed, 4./0/. 9. 



994 P OL r^O L S 10 Nf 

died withoat liTae ; Henry duke of Lancafter (fon to John of Gaftiit the 
fourth brother) depofed Richard the lid. and to the Vth and Vlth of his 
name left the kingdom defcending in right line of the family of Lancafter. 
On the other (ide Lionel duke of Clarence, the 3d brother, had only iflue 
Philip a daughter, married to Edmund Mortimer earl of March, (who 
upon this title was deiigned heir apparent to Richard lid.) Edmund, by 
her had Roger ; to Roger was iflue two fons and two daughters ; but all 
died without pofterity, excepting Anne ; through her, married to Ri- 
chard earl of Cambridge, fon to Edmund ofLangley was conveyed (t« 
their ifTue Richard duke of York, father to king Edward IV.) that 
right which Lionel (whofe heir fhe was) had before the reft of that 
Doyal Hem. So that Lancafter derived itfelf from the fourth brother 1 
York from the blood of the third and fifth united. And in time of the 
fixth Henry was this &tal and enduring mifery over England, about de* 
termination of thefe titles, firft conceived in the 30th year of his reign, 
by Richard duke of York, whofe fon Edward IV. depofed Henry fpnvc 
nine years after ; and having reigned near like fpace, was alfo, by re- 
adoption of Henry, depriv'd for a time, but reftored, and died of it 
EifTeft* in whofe family it continued until after death of Richard III. 
enry earl of Richmond, and heir of Lancafler, marrying Elizabeth the 
Iieir of York, made that happy union. Some have referred the utmcfi 
^ root of the Lancaftrian title to Edmund, indeed eldeft fon to Hennr 
III. but that by reafon of his unfit deformity, his younger brother Ed- 
ward had the fuccefiion, which is abfurd andfialfe. For one whom I 
believe before moft of our monks, and the king^s chronologer of thofe 
times, Matthew Faris, tells exprefly the days and years of botk their 
births, and makes Edward four years elder than Crook-back. All thefe 
liad that moft honoured fumame ^Plantagenet ; which hath been extinA 
among us ever iince Margaret countefs of Salifbury, (daughter to Geoige 
Plantagenet duke of Chrence) was beheaded in the tower. By reafon 
of John of Gaunt^s device being a redrofe, and Edmund of Langley^s a 
white rofe, thefe two fadions afterward, as for cognizances of their 
defcent and inclinations, were by the fame flowers diftinguifhM. 

Tet jealous of his rights defcended to bis grave. 

So jealous, that towards them of the Lancaftrian fa£lion, noqgl^t but 
death (as, there, reafon of ftate was enough) was his kindnefii. To- 
wards ftrangers, whofe flipping words were in wrefied fenfe, foemii^ 
interpretable to his hurt, how he carried himfelf, the rdaCiorik'of Sir 
JohnMarkham, his chief jufticc, Thomas Burdet an cfquire 6f Wat- 
wickfhire, and fome cit;i^ens, for idle fpeeches are tefUmony. How to 
his own blood in that mi(erable end of his'brother George ddke if -Cla- 
rence, is fhewed : Whoft death hath divers reported caufes, as our late 
chroniclen tell you. One is fuppofed upon a prophecy fore^eaking 
that Edward's fucceflbr's name fbpuM begin withG ; which - made Um 
fufpeft this Geoxgc (a kind of fuperftition not exaropled, as I remembtr, 

wnong 



SONG TH& SEVENTEENTH. 995 

ftflxvig our princes ; but in proportion very frequent in the Oriental 
empire, as paifages of the names in Alexius, Manuel, and others, dif* 
oorer in Nicetas Choniates) and many more fcfiou*, yet infufEcient 
fknlts' (tailing of Richard duke of GlGcc(!cr> practices) are laid (o his 
charge. Lee Polydore, Hall, and the reft difdoTe them. But of hh 
it&th, I cannot ottiic what I have newty feen. Vou know it is com- 
monly affirmed, that he wasdrOwned in a hdgfhead of inalmi^y at tkd 
tower. One ' that very Jatel/ would needs difluade men from drinking 
healths to (heir princes, friends, and miftreiles, as the falhion is, a ba- 
chelor of divinity, and profefTor of hiilory and greek at Cologn, in his 
divifion of drunken natures, makes one part of them, j^/ in baianas 
mtUari eapennt, dutnmodo mare in generofijjimum *uittum transfirmaretut : 
and for want of another example, dares deliver, that, fuch a line 4iur/ 
Cnrgi^ earl of Clarence^ 'v)ho^ ivhen for JiMciw of ireajon he fUsai 
jui^d'todit hy bit briber Edward I f^. and bad eUSiion of bis form of 
dmih given bim^ made choice to be dro^Joned in inaimfey. Firft, whjr hd 
tA hun earl of Clarence, ; I believe not all his profeft hifiofy call' 
jaftify; neither indeed was ever among us any fuch hopour. &afls cf' 
^ Clare loQg fince were : but the title of Clarence besan when that earl- 
dbm was converted into a dukedom by creation of Lionel (who mar- 
ried with the heir of the Clares) duke of Clarence third fon to Ed.IIt; 
fince whom never have been other than dukes of that dignity. 3&t 
Unto what I fhould impute diis inexcufable injury to the dead prince^ 
t^itb to Icarius's ihadow dazling the writer^s eyes, or BaC(nius his re- 
teiigefiileaufing him to flip' in matter of his own profeflk)n» I know not. 
par ftories make the dr^ little better than a tyrannous murder, pii- 
vHy committed without any fuch eledlion. If he have oth^ authori- 
ty foi itj I would his margin had been fo kind as to have impart-* 
edit: 

Upon a daughter horn to John ^fSomerfii. 

JohnofGaunt^ duke of Lancafter, had ilToe by Catharine Swinfotd, 
John of Beaufort earlof Somerfet, and marquis Dorfet : To him fuc- 
ceeded his fecond fon, John (Henry the eldeft dead) and was created 
firft duke of Somerfet by Henry V. Of this John's loins was Margaret, 
mother to Henry VIL His father was Edmund of Hadam j^made earl 
Richmond by Henry Vt.) fon to Owen Tyddour (deriving himfelf from 
the Britilh Cadwallader) by his wife queen Catharine, dowager to Henry 
V. and hence came that royally ennobled name of Tyddour^ whkh in 
the late queen of happy memory ended. 

Defender of the faith. - 



WJien amongft thofe turbulent commotions of Lutherans and Rominilb 
under Charles V. fuch oppofitions increafed, that the pope's three crowns 

Tt t . even 



1 Franeijc, Mmtenef. de tUu bibend* U 
eaf, J, ttUt.fiiptrioribus Nundinii, 

m Comet Ciarenti^t. Catirum itvo Not" 
mamcoindifcriminan'n Qotn& & DiU ufir^ 



poMttWg & Will. C6n^K&oififflm diShit 
€onoes JNtrm. 
xt From Clare m SvfibUg K Po^^ 



996 



P O L r^ L B J N: 



'even tottered at fach arguments as were publifbed againft his pardons^ 
snafs, monadic prdfeflion, and the reftoffuch dodbine; this king Henrr 
(that Luther might want no (brt of antagoniftsj wrote particularly agaijitt 
him in defence of pardons^ the papacy, and of their feven facraments : 
of which is yet remaining the original in the ° Vatican at Rome, and 
wiUi the lung^ own hand thus inicribed, 

Jf^Iorum Rix, HENRICVS, LEOVI X. 
mittit hoc ofuj, ^ fiUi tep^ml^ amcitia. 

Hereupon, this Leo fent him the title of p Defender of the faith : 
which was as ommous to what enfu'd. For towards the 2$th vear 
of his reign he began fo to examine their traditions, dodrine, Uves, 
and the numerous faults of the corrupted time, that he was indeed 
founder of reformation for inducement of the true ancient faith : which 
by his ifon Edward VI. qiieen Elizabeth, aiid our prefent fovereign, haidi 
been to this pioully eftablilhed and defended^ 

To eafe your conceit of thdTe kings here fang, I.add this Chronologjr 
of them. 

to66. William I. conquered England. 

1087. William the Red (Rufus) fecond fon of the conaueror. 

1100. Henry L fumamed Beauclerc, third ion to.Uiefirfi 
William. ' 

1x35. Stephen earl of Moreton end 6ologi>e, ion to Stephen 
earl of Blois by Adela daughter to the conqoecor. 
In bdch the prints of 'Math. Paris, (Anno loBbJ 
you muft mend Becceniis Comitis, and read Ble- 
£bniis Comitis ; and howfoever it comes to pafs, he 
is, in the fame author, 'made ion to Tedbald earl 
of Blois, which indeed was his brother. 

1154. Henry IL fon to Gcflfcry Plantageneft earl of Anjen, 
and Maude the empi^efs, daughter to Hefn-y Beau* 
clcrc. 

1 1 89. Richard I. Caeur ie Lion^ fon to Henry IL 

1199. John, brother to Cofur deLhn^ 

12 16. Henry in. fon to king John. 

1273. Edward I. l/)Bg(hanks, fon to Henry III. 

1308. Edward IL of Cacmarvan, fon to Edward I. dcpofed 
by his wife and fon. 

1326. Edward III. fon to Edward IL 

1387. Richard IL of Bourdeaux (fon to Edwawl th* Black 
Prince, fon to Ed. HI.) dcpofed by Henry duke of 
Lancailer, > 

1399. Henry IV. of Bolingbroke ; fcn to John of Gaunt 
duke of Lancallcr, 4th fon to Edward IIL 

1413. Henry V. of Monmouth, fon to Henry IV. 

• .^ * 1422.' 

•♦«Rii*«/r.5fWrr, in Delie. ^HQhrif, p Dtfenfor^Ecclifia i. SUiUno Cmment^i, 



SONG f»e SEVENTEENTH. 997 

44^2. Ilcnrv VI. of VVindfor, fon to Henry V. depofed l^ 
Edward earl of March, fon and heir to Richaitt 
duke *of York, deriving title from Lionel duke of 
Clarence, and Edmund of Langley, 3d and 5t]i 
fons of Edyi^ard III. 

1460. Edward IV. of Roan, fon and Heir of York < In the 
loth of his reign Henr/ VI. got again the crown^ 
but fooD loll buth it and life. 

1483. Edward V. fon to the IV. of that name, murdcrei 
with his brother Richard duke of York, by bis 
uncle Richard duke of Glocefler. ^ 

1483. Richard III. brother to Edward IV. flaift at Bofworth 
field, by Henry earl of Richmond. In him ended 
the name of Plantagenet in our kings. 

1485. Henry VJI. heir to the Lamcaftrian tamilyi mflrried 
with Elizabeth, heir to the bouft of York. Ifk 
him the name of Tyddoor, began in the crown. ^ 

1509. Henry VIII. of Greenwkh, Ibn to Hen. VII. . 

.1546. Edward VI. of Hampton- court, fon to Henry VIII. 

i^*? 3 . Maxy, fifter to Edward VI. 

1558. Elizabeth, daughter to Henry VIII. 

Great Andredfwalde fometimtr — — *• 

An that maritime tra(l comprehending Soilex, and part of ICent, i^To 
.much as was not mountains^ now cali'd the Downs, which in.« Bri* 
tifii, .pldGauliih, Low Dutch, and .our Englifli, figoifies but hills) ^fi* 
ing all woody, was called Andredfweald, i'. e. ' Andred's wood, ofusn 
mentioned in our ftories, and Newendcn in Kent by it Andrcdchcuer 
(as moil learred Camden upon good rcafon gueffes) whence perhaps the 
wood had hib name. To this day we call thofd woody lands, by north 
the downs, the Weald : and the channel of the river that comes out of 
thoip .psM:;s, and xlifcontin^es the Downs about Bramb^r, is yet known 
in Shorehjjun ferry, .by the name of Weald-ditch ; and, in another Saxon 
word equivalent to it, are many of the pariihes terminations on this 
fide the Downs, that is, Herft, or Hurft, i. e. a wood. Jt is called 
by Ethel werd exprelly Immanis fyl'va^ qua 'vulgo Andredjuuda nuncu^ 
patur, and was* 1 20 m^les long, and 30. broad. The author's conceit 
of thefe forefts being nymphs of this great And rcdfuuda, and their com- 
plaint for lofs of woods in SuiTex, fo de€ay!dt is plain enough to every 
reader* 

As Arun which doth name the heauteeus Arundel. 

So it is conjeftared and is without Controverfy juftifiable, if that be 
the name of the river. Some fable it from Arundel, the name of 

T 1 1 a Bevis* 

qDunum uti ex CUtcpbwte epudPlut,\ r We yet ctU • iefcrt, t uriliernefi fiwn 
^abet Cam/, & t^UJirctl Be/gis dicuntur I thi«root. 



^abet Camd, & t^UJirctl Befgis dicuntur I 
ji^^jfreutij, Csf ^ Ur/» Oaang 9bi§ffi I 



tB$M, BmiMgi, b0. 5.18 dIfirMt. 



998 



POL T^O L B 10 Ni 



BeviV korfe i k were fb as tolerable as* Bucephalon, from Alexander^ 
korfe/ ** Tyraenna in Lycia from a goat of that name, and fuch like. 
If time would endure it : But Bevts was about the conqueft, and this 
town is by Jianie of Erundele, known in time of king Alfred ^ who gave 
it with others fo his nephew Achelm^ Of all men > Goropius had fome* 
what a. violent conjedlore, when he deriv'^d Harondell^ from a peo- 
ple called Charudes (in Pto}omey» towards the utmoft of the now ]vlu 
and) part of whom he imagines (^bout the Saxon and Danifh irrup- 
ffens) planted themfelves here> and by difference of dialect, left this as 
^ branch fprung of their country title. 

And Aim coming on to Sboreiam. 

%. . 

'^ ; This river, that here fidls into the ocean, might well be underftood 

'% that )^ port of Adur, about this coaft, the reUques whereof, learned 

Ciriiden takes to be £drington, or Adrington, a little from Shoreham. 

And the author here fo calls it Adur. 

Dotb hlufh^ as put in mind of tbofe there fadlyjlain. 

In the plain near Haftings, where the Norman William after his* 
victory found king Harold fiiin, he built fiattle-afa^, which at laft 
^ ^vers other monafteries) grew to a town enough populous. 
Thereabout is a ]^ce which aiter rain always looks red, wluch fome 
•have (by that authority the mufe alfo) attributed to a very bloody 
IWeat of the earth, as crying to heaven for revenge of fo great t 
flaughter* 

t Phtiarth in AUx. Qf S^ Cart. Kb. 9. | ^hkan, ftT ali^ in hoc »gr% viUa ItgMtur 
« Stiph. ntft »«\« ^ t 0^irtl» tjufim e^au 

W T^lament Alfred, nbi etfam^ Rithe- I x Gotbodanic, M, 7. 
lamfeildj Diccilio(«ai, Angmeriogam, I y Portnt Adumi inmtit. pr^vine^^ 

1 % GuiLFarvMS bift. i. elf. r. 




r— 



FOLTt 



(999) 

POL r-O L B I O N: 

SONG THE EIGHTEENTH. 

The Argument- 

The Rotber thro^ the JVeald doth r^e^ 

^ill he with Oxney fall in love : 

Rumney^ would with her wealth beguile^ 

And win the river from the ijle. 

Medway^ with her attending Jlreams^ 

Goes forth to meet her Lord great Tbams : 

4nd where in breadth fbe her difp^rfet^ 

Our famous captains fbe rebearfes^ L 

With many of their valiant deeds. 

^ben with Kent^spraife tbemufepro^efis^ 

And tells when Albion o^erfea rode^ 

How he bis daugbter4fles befiim^i % 

And how grim Goodwin foams andfrnts ; 

f^bere to this Song an en4fbe fefjf. 

OUR A^gas fcarcely yet delivered of her fi>n, 
Whc^ astheriverdown, thro*Ai>drcdfweaId'doA nm: 
Nor can the aged hill have comfort of her chiU. 
For, living in the >voods, hcrRother waxjcd wild % 
Hb b^nks with gged oaks, and bufhes overgrown. 
That from tl;ie Sylvans kind he hardly could be known: 
Yea, many a rinje the nymphs, which hapt this flood to fo^ 
Fled from him, whom they fure a fetyr thought to be ; 
As fatyr-like he held all pl^ures in difd^n. 
And would not once vpucbfafe, to ,io9k upon a pl^ ; 

Ttt3 TSi 



1000 POL ir^O L B JO N: 

Till chancing in his courfe to view a goodly plot. 
Which Albion in his youth upon afca-nymph got. 
For Oxney'§ love he pines : who being witdly chafte. 
And never woo*d before, was coy to be embraced. 
But, what obdurate heart was ever fo pcrverfe. 
Whom yet a lover's plaints, with patience could not pierce ? 
For, in this confli6E ftie being laftly overthrown, 
In-ifled in his arms, he clips her for his own. 
W^ being grofs and black, fhe likM the rrvef ^fll. 

Of Rother's happy match, when Rumney marfh heard tell, 
Whilftin his youthful courfe himfelfhe doth apply. 
And f^Ileth in her fight into the fea at Rye, 
She thinkech with herfelf how fhe away might find 
To put the homely ifle quite out 6f Rother*s mind ; 
Appearing to the flood, njoft bravely like a queen. 
Clad all from head to foot, in gaudy fummer's green ; 
Her mande richly wrought^ wjthfundry flowers and weeds; 
Her moiftful temples bound,w}th\H"eathsof quiveringreeds: 
Which loofely flowing dowh, upon het lufly thighs. 
Mod ftrongly fccm to tempt the river's amorous eyes. 
And on her loins a frock, with many a fwelling plait, 
Embofs'd With well-fpreaid horfe,large fheep,dnd fdll-fedneat. 
Some wallowing in the grafs, thcri lie a while to batten ; 
Some fcnt aw^y to kill ; fome thithfer brought t(; fatten 5 
With yillages dmorigfl:, oft powtHered here and there -, 
And (that the ftme more like td landfldp Ihould appear) 
With lakes and leflTer fords, to mitigate the h^at 
(In fummer wheh the fly doth pnok the gadding neat, 
Forc'd frotp the brakes, where late they brout'd the vd- 

vct buds) 
In which, thcjr lick their hides, and chew their favoury cuds. 

Of thefe heraWotoustoys, when Oxney came to know, 
Sufpefting left in tinfie her rival (he might gtow, 
Th^allprements bf the marlh the jealous ifle doth move. 
That to a confl:ant fcburfe^ fhe thus perfuades hdr IbVc : 
« With Rumn^ though for dower I fl:and in ho degree ; 
♦ In this, p be befot'd yet likcr far tjian ftie: 

'Though 



SONG THE EIGHTEENTH, iqqi 

* Though I be brown, in mc tliere doth no favour lack. 
« The foul is laid deform'd : and flic, extremely black. 

' And though her rich attire, fo curious be and rare, 

* From her there yet proceeds unwholfome putrid air: 

* Where my com jdexion more fuits with the higher ground, 

* Upon the lufly Weald, where ftrength doth ftill abound. 

* The wood-gods I refused, that fu'd to me for grace,, 

* Me in thy wat'ry arms, thee fufF'ring to embrace 5 

* Where, to great Neptune flie may one day be a prey : 

* The fea-gods in her lap lie wallowing every day. 

* And what, tho' of her ftrength ftxc feemtomake nodoubt? 

* Yet put unto the proof flie'U hardly hold him out.' 

Widi this perfwafive fpeech which Oxney lately us*d ; 
With ftrange and fundry doubts, ilhilft Rothcr ftood con- 

fus'd. 
Old • Andredfwcald at lengdi dorfi take her time to tell 
The changes of the worid, that fince her youth befell. 
When yet upon her foil, fcarce human foot had trod % 
A pUce where only then thcSylvans made abode. 
Where,' fearlcfi of the hunt, the hart fecurely ftood. 
And every where walk*d free, a burgefs of the wood ; 
Until thbfe Danifli routs, whom hunger-ftarv'd at home, 
(lAke wolves purfuing prey) about the world did roam. 
And ftemming the rude ftream divkling us from France, 
Into the fpacious mouth of Rother fell (by chance) 
^. That Lymen then was nam*d, when (with moft irk« 

fome care) c 

The heavy Danifh yoke, the fcrvilc Englifli bare. 
And when at laft flie fopnd, there was no way to lelve 
Thofe, whom flie had at firft been forced to receive ; 
And by her great rcfort, flie was through very need, 
Conftrained to provide her peopled towns to fec4* 
She le^rn'd the churiifli ax and twybili to prepare. 
To fteel the coulter's edge, and flwp the furrowing fiviFQ: 
And niore induftrious ftill, and only hating floth, 
A houfewife ftie became, moft fldird in making cloth. 

T 1 1 4 That 



ioo2 POL r*0 L B JO N: 

That now the draper comes from London every year^ 
And of the Kentim forts niakes his provifipn there. 
Whofe fkirts ('tis faid) at firft that fifty furlongs wcnt^ 
Have loft their anqent bounds, now * limited in Kent. 
Which ftrongly to improve, flie Medway forth did bring, 
From Suffex who ('tis known) receives her filver fpring. 
Who towards the lordly Thames, as (he along doth ftnun. 
Where Teife, clear Beule, and Len bear up her limbcf 

train 
As ihe removes in ftate : fo for her niore renown, 
Hif only name (he leaves, t'her only ^ chriftned town 5 - 
And Rochefter doth reach, in entring to the bower 
Of that moft matchlefe Thames, her princely paramour. 
Whofe bofom doth fo pleafe her fovereign (with her pride) 
Whereas the royal fleet continually doth ride. 
That where fhe told her Thames, (he did intend to fing 
What to the Englilh name immortal praife Ihouldbring j 
To grace his goodly queen, Thames prefently proclainVJi 
Tha( all the Kentiih floods, reiigning him their names^ 
Should prefently repair unto his mighty hall. 
And by the pofting tides, towards London fends to call 
Clear Ravenlburn (though fmall, remembred them among). 
At Deptford entring. Whence as down (he comes along. 
She Darent thither Warns : who calls her fitter Cray, 
Which haften to the court with all the fpeed they may. 
And but that Medway then of Thames obtained fiich grace. 
Except her country nymphs, that nonefhould be in place, 
More rivers from each part, had inftantly been there. 
Than at their marriage, firft, by * ^P^nfcr i^^mbred werf. 
This Medway ftill had nurft thofe navies in her road. 
Our armies that had .oft to conqueli born abroad ; 
And not a man of ours^ for arms hath famous been. 
Whom Ihe not going out, or coming in hath feen : 
'Of by fome pafling fhip, hath news to her been brought. 
What brave explats they did j as where, and how, they 
fought. 

Where- 
in The Weald of Kent. | town . 
^ Uiy^mf, i. e. Medviy*f{ ' In the Fairy Qqceo. 



so N G *HE E I G H T E E NT H. looj 

Wherefore, for audience now, fhe to th'aflcmbly calls, 
Xht captains to recite when ferioudy (he falls. 

* Of noble warriors now, faith (he, Ihall be my fong ; 
^Of thoferenowQied fpirits, that from the conqueft fprungt 
' Of th'engli(h Norman blood : which, matchlcfs for their 

♦ might, 
^ Have with their flaqiing fwords, in many a dreadful fight, 

* lUuftrated this ifle, and bore her fame fo far ; 

* Our Heroes^ which the firft wan, in that holy war, 

* Such fear from every foe, and made the eaft more red, 

^ With fplendor of their arms, than when from Tithon's bed 

* The blulhing dawn doth break ; towards which our fame 

• begun, 

» By Robert (Curt-hofe call'd) the Conqueror's eldcft fon, 

* Who with great Godfrey and that holy hermit went 
^ The fepulchrc to free, with moft devout intent. 

^ And to that title which the Norman William got, 

* When in our conqueft here, he ftrove t'includc the Scot^ 
' The general of our power, that ftout and warlike earl, 

< Who Englifli being born, was ftil'd of Aubcmerle ; 

* Thofe Lacyes then no lels courageous, which had there 
^ The leading of the day, all brave commanders were. 

^ Sir Walter Efpeck, matcht with Peverel, which as far 

* Advcptur'd for our fame : who in that bifhops war, 
^ Immortal honour got to Stephen's troubled reign : 

^ That day ten thoufand Scots upon the field were flajn. 
> The carl of Strigule then our Strong-bow, firft that 

• won 

* WiW Ireland with the fword (which, to the glorwus fun, 
^ lifts up his nobler name) amongft the reft may ftand. 

• In coeur de Lyon's charge unto the holy-land, 

* Our earl of Le'ller, next, to rank with them we bring: 

^ AndTumham, he that took th'impoft'rdus Cyprian king, 

* Strong Tuchet chofe to weild the Englifli ftandard there i 
^ Pole^ Goumey, Neinl, Gray, Lyle, Ferres, Mortimer : 

^ And more, for want of pens whofe deeds not brought ta 

flight, 
^ It4grieves my zealous fi>u], I can not do them right. 



I0O4 POLr^OLBJON: 

* The noble Pembroke then, who. Strong-bow didiucccpd. 
Like his brave grand-fire, made th'revolting Irifli bleed. 
When yielding oft, they oft their due fubjeftion broke i 
And when the Britons fcorn'd to bear the Enghfli yoke^ 
Lewellin prince of Wales in battel overthrew. 
Nine thoufand valiant Welfli and either took or flew. 
Ezrl Richard, his brave ion, of Strong-bow's matchlefi 

* ftrain, 
As he a Marfhal was, did in himfclf retain 
The nature of that word, being martial, like his name : 
Who, as his valiant fire, the Irilh oft did tame. 

* With him we may compare Marifeo (king of men) 
That lord chief jufticesvas of Ireland, whereas then 
Thole two brave Burrowes, John, and Richard, had chtir 

pdace. 
Which through the bloodied bogs, thofe Irifli oft did chafe; 
Whofe deeds may with the beft defervodly be read. 

As thofe twoLacyes then,ourEngUfli powers that led: 
Which twenty thouiand^ there, did in one battel qucll$ 
Amongft whom (trodden down) the kuig of Conai^ht fdL 

' Th^ Richard, that lov*d earl of Cornwal, hcfe we fet : 
Who, rightly of the race of great Plantagenet, 
Our Englifli armies fliipt, to gain that hallowed ground, 
With Long-fword the brave (on of beauteous Rofamond: 
The pagans through the breafts, like thunderbolts that flv)t ; 
And in the utmoft eaft foch admiration got. 
That the fliril-ibundmg blaft, and terror of our fame 
Hath often conquered, where our fwords yet never came : 
As GifFord, not forgot, their ftout aflbciate there. 

* So in the wars with Wales, of ours as famous here, 
Guy Beauchamp, that great earl of Warwick, place fhall 

have : 
From whom theCambnan hills the Welfl)*men could not 

iave; 
Whom he, thdr general plague, impetuoufly purfu*d. 
And in the Britifli gore his flaughtering twprd imbru'd. 

* In order as they rife (next Beauchamp) we prefer 
The Lord John Giffbrd, ttiatcht withEdmond Mortimer •, 

• Men 



S0k6 T*te fclOllt£fiNTH.itf55 

*Men rightly moulded up, for high adventurous deeds. ' 

* In this renowned rank of warriors then fucceeds 

* "Walwin, ^ho with foch (kill our armies oft did guide ; 

* lit mMf a dangerous ftraighr, that had his knowledge 

try'd, 

* And in that fierce aflkult, which causM the fafal flight,' 

* Where the diftreffed Welfli refign'd their ancient right, 

* Stout Framptop : by whofe hand^ their prince Lewellih 

*fell. 

* Theft followeth (as the firft who havcdcferved a^weH) 
•Great Saint John ; from the French, which twice rec^verdd 

* Guyn : 

* And he, all him before that clearly did out-Ihine, 

^ Wirf eft, the puiflant earl of Surrey, which M forth 

* Our Englifli armies oft into our utmoft north ; 

* And oft of his approach n:iade Scotland quake to hear, 

* WhenTw^ed hkth funk down flat, within herbaiks fdr 

* fear. 

* Oft him therefliaU attend, that moft adventurous TWhing, 
« That at Sdambekin fight, the Englifli off did bring 

* Before the furious Scot, that elfe were like to fall. 

•As BaflTet, lafl: of thefe, yet not the lead of all 
•Thofe mofl: renowned fpirits that Fowkerk bravely fought 5 
•Where L6ng-flianks, to our lore, Albania laftly brought. 

* A6, when our Edward firft his title did advance, 

« Aftd led his Englifli heftce, to win his right in France* 

* That moft deferving carl of Derby we prefer, 

* Henry's third valiant fon, the earl of Lancafter, 

* That only Mars of rtiCn ; who (as a general fcourge^ 

* Sent by juft-judging heaven, outr^eous France to purgft) 

* At Cagant plagu'd the power of Flemings that flic r^s'd, 

* Agiiftft the Englifli force : which as a hand-fell feas'd, 

* Into hfer very heart he marcht in warlike wife ; 

* Took Bergera, Langobeck, Mountdurant, and Mount- 

guyfe; 
*LeaU, Poudra, and Punach, Mouftt^Segr^i Forfa, won 5 
^ Moufttpefans, and Beaumont, the Ryal, Aiguillon, 

* Roch- 



roo6 P O L r^O I B 10 N: . 

* Rochmillon, Mauleon, Franch, and Angolifme furpriz'd; 

* With caftles, cities, forts, nor provinces fuffic'd. 

* Then took the earl of Ley le: to conduft whom there came 
/ Nine vifcounts, lords, and earls, aftoni(ht at his name. 

* To Gafcoyne then he goes (to plague her, being preft) j^ 
^ And manfully himfelf of Mirabel poileft ; 

f Suigeres, and Alnoy, Benoon, and Mortain flruck : 
^ And with, a fearful fiege, he Taleburg laftly took ; 

* With prdperous fuccels, in lefler time did win 

* Maximien, Lufingham, Mount-forrel^ and Bovin; 

^ Sackt Poi&iors : which did, then, that country's tmSut 

♦holds 
^ That not a man of ours would touch what was not goli 
* With whom our • Maney here dcfervedly doth ftaiK^ 

< Which firft inventor was of that courageous band, 

* Who closM their left eyes up j as, never to be freed, 

* Till there they had atchicv'd fomehigji advcnt'rous deed. 

* He firft into the prefs at Cagant conflid flew ; 

/ And ftom amidft a grove of gleaves, and halberds drew 

* Great Derby beaten down j t'amaze the men of war, 

* When he for England cry'd, St. George, and Lancafter; 

* And as mine author tells (in his high courage proud) 

* 3cfore hi^ going forth, unto his miftrcfs vow'd, 

* He would b^n the war : and, to make good the lanoe, 

* Then fetting foot in France, there firft with hoftjlc flame 
^Forc'd Mortain, from her towers, the nisighbouring ^ 

towns to light ; 

< That fuddenly they caught a fever ^ith die fright. 

* Thin caftle (near the town of Can^bray) purs he made ^ 
^ And when the Spanifli powers came ^Britain to invadey 

* Both of their aids and fpoyls, them utterly bereft. 

^ This Englifli lion, there, the Spaniards never left, 

* Till from all air of France, he made their Lewis fly^ 

* And fame her felf, to him, Co amply did apply, 

^ That when the moft unjuft Calicians had forethpu^t, 
' Into that town (then ours} the Ff enchmep tp have brpught, 

•ThP 

f Sir Walter Maufy* ' I-ittlc Britain in France- 



SONG TH* EIGHTEENTH. loQj 

• The* king of England's fclf, and his renowned fon 

• (By thofc perfidious French to fee what would be done) 

• Under his guydon marcht, as private foldiers there. 

• So had we ftill of ours, in France that famous were i 

• Warwick, of England then high-conftable that Viras^ 

• As other of that race, here well I cannot pa(s ; 

^ That brave and godlike brood of BeauchampSi which fb 
•long 

• Them earls of Warwick held ; fo hardy, great, and ftrong, 

• That after of that name it to an adage grew, 

« If any man himfelf adventurous hapt to (hew, 

•''Bold Beauchamp men him term*d, if none fo bold as he. 

• With thofe our Beauchamps, may our Bourchers 
- • reckoned be. 

• Of wUch, that valiant lord, moft famous in thole days, 

• That hazarded in France fo many dangerous frays : 

• Whofe blade in all the fights betwixt the French and us^ 

• Like to a blazing ftar was ever ominous ; 

• A man, as if by Mars upon Bellona got. 

• Next him, flout G>bham comes, that with as profp'rous 

•lot 

• Th*Englifh men hath led \ by whofe aufpicious hand, 

• We often have been known the Frenchmen to command* 

• And Harcourt, though by birth an alien; yet, ours won, 

• By Ei^nd after held her dear adopted fon : 

• Which oft upon our part was bravely proved to do, 

• Who with the hard'ft attempts fame eameftly did wooe : 

• To Paris-ward, that when the Amyens fled by flealth 

• (Within her mighty walls to have inclos'd their wealth) 

• Before her bulwark'd gates the burgefles he took \ 

• Whilft the Farifians, thence that fadly ftood to look, 

• And (aw their faithful friends fo wc^uUy beftead, 

• Not once durft iflue out to help them, for their head. 

• And our John Copland ; here courageoufiy at home 

• ( Whilfl every where in France, thofe far abroad do roam^ 
.* That at Newcaftle fight (the battel of the queen, 

• Where moft the EnglUh hearts were to their fovereign fccn) 

• Took 
s Edward III. and the fihclcl ^ BddBeaachanp^; «provezb« 
prince. * 



jopg POL r^O L B 10 If: 

« Took David king of Scots, his prifoner in the fight. 

• Nor could thefe wars imploy our only men of might : 

• But as tlK queen by thefe did mighty ihings atchieve ; 

• So thofe, to Britain fent the countefs to relieve, 

• As any yet .of ours, two knights as much thsif. dar*d, 

« Stout D^ngorn, and witli him ftrong Hart wcl honor fliai'di 
^ The dreaded Charles de Bloys, that at Rochdarren .beat, \, 

• And on the royal feat, the countefs Mountfort fet. 

• In each place where they came £o fortunate were ours. ■ 

^ Then, Audley, mod: renawn'd amongft thofe valiftut' 
powers, 
•That with the prince of Wales atconquerMPoidietsfewght} 

• Such wonders that in, arms before both armies wiX)Ugltt ; 

• The firft that charg'd die French ^ and, all that drcadfiil 

•day, 

• Through ftili renewing worlds of danger made :hisoBa|r i 

• The man that fcornM to take a prifoner (through his.pTidc) 

• But by plain. down-right death the tide to decide. ' . 
^ And after the retreat, chat famous battel done, 

• Wherein rich fpacious France was by the Englifli won, 

• Five hundred marks in fee, that nobleft prince beftow*d 

• For his (o brave attempts, througkhis.high courageihow'd. 
.* Which to his four Efquires * iic ftcely gav«, who there 

. * Vy*d valour with their lord ; and in dqfpightoffear, 
^ Oft fetcht that day firom death, wheoe wounds ^pM iride 

*as hell; 
^ And cries, and parting groans, whereas the Frenchmen fel, 
•.Even made the viftors grieve, fo horrible they were, 
* Our Dabridgcourt the next fhall be remembred hot, 

• At Poidiers who brake in upon the Alman horfe 
•Tjiroughhis too forward fpced: but, taken by their forcc» 
♦And after, by the turn of that fo doubtful fight, 
♦Being refcuM by his friends iniPoidliers' fearful fight, 

• Then like a lion rang'd about th'enemy's hofi: : 

• And where he might fuppofe the danger to be moft, 

*■ Like lightning entred there, to his French foes difinay, 
♦To gratify his friends which refcued him that day. 

. •Then 
^ The honorable bounty of .the lord Audley. 



] 



SONC THE EI GHTEENTH. 1009 

'TheitChandos : whofe great deeds found fame fo much 

* tx> do. 
That £hc was laftly forc*d, him for her eafe to wooe 5 
That minion of dread Mars, which almoft over-lhone 
All thofc before Wm were, and for him none fcarce known. 
At Canibray's fcaled wall his credit firft that won j 
Andllqr the high cxjJoits in France by him were done. 
Had all fo over-aw*d, that by his very name 
He could remove a fi^e : and cities where Jie came 
Would at his fummons yield. That man, the moft belov'd. 
In all the ways of war fo (kilful and approved. 
The -^prince at Poiftiers chofe his perfon to affift. 
This ftout Herculean ftem, this noble martialift, 
in battel 'twixt brave Bloys and noble Mountfort, try*d 
At Array, then the right of Britain to decide, 
RagVl hkc a. furious ftorm beyond the power of man. 
Where valiant Charles was flain, and the ftern Englifh 

*wan 
The roy^ Britifh rule to Mountfort's nobler name« 
He took ibxmg Tanyers in, and Anjou oft did tame. 
Gavaches he regained, and us Kochniador got. 
Wherercvcr lay*d he fiege that he invcfted not ? 

« As this brave warrior was, fo no lefs dear to us, . 
The rival tn his &me, his only aemulu^ 
Renbwn'd iir Robert Koowles, that in his ^ories fhatV!, 
His cluvalry and oft in prefent perils dar'd ; 
As nature ihoukl with time, at once -by theljb confent 
To ihow, diat all their ftore they idly bad not fpent. 
He Vennandoife o'er-ran with ildll and courage high : 
Notorioufly he plagu'd revolting Picdrdy : 
That up to Parb walls did all bdfore him win. 
And dir'd her at her g^tes (the king that time within) 
A man that all his deeds did dedicate to fame. . 

* Then thofe ftout Percy es, John, and Thomas, men 

iofname. 
The valiant Gourney, next, defervedly we grace. 
And Howet, that with him aflumes as high a place. 

• Strong 
k The Blick Prince; 



loio POL T-O Ln 10 N: 

* Strong Trivet, all whofe ends at great adventures (hot: 

* That conqiicr'd us Mount Pin, and caftlc Carcilot, 

* As famous in the French, as in the Belgtck war ; 

* Who took the lord Brimewe ; and with the great Navarre^ 

* In Papatoon, attained an everlalling praiie. 

^ Courageous Carill next, than whom thofe glorious day$ 

* Pi-oduc*d not any fpirit that through more dangers fwam. 

* That princely Thomas, next, the earl of Buckingham, 
*ToBritany through France that our ftout Englilh brought, 
•Which under his command with fuch high fortune 

fought 

* As put the world in fear Rome from her cinders rofc, 

* And of this earth again meant only to difpofe. 

* Thrice valiant Hackwood then, out-fhining all the reft, 

* From London at the firft a poor jneaii foldier prcft 

* ( That time but very young) to thofe great wars in France, 

* By his brave fervice there himfelf did fo advance, 

* That afterward, the heat of thofe great battels done 

* ( In which he to his name immortal glory won) 

* Leading fix thoufand horfe, let his brave guydon fly. 

* So, pafling through eaft France, and entring L.ombuxly« 

* By th'greatneis of lus fame, atjtain'd fo high command, - 
« That to his charge he got the wMte Italian band. 

* With * Mountferato then in all his wars he went : 

* Whole clear report abroad by fames (hrill trumpet fent, 
•Wrought, that with rich rewards him Milan ^er won, 

* To aid her, m her wars with Mantua then begun ; 

* By ■ Barnaby, there made the Milanefes guide : . 

* His daughter, who, to him, fwr Domina, affy'd, 

* For Gregory then the twelfth, he dangerous battels ftroke, 

* And with a noble fiege revolted Pavia took. 

* And there, as fortune rofe, or as ihe did decline, 

* Now with the Pifan ferv*d, then with the Ftorentine : 

* The ufc of th'Englifh bows to Italy that brought ; 

* By which he, in thofe wars, feem'd wonders to have 

* wrought. 

•Our 

^ The marqueis of Mountferato. 

"> Brother to Gale^zo, Vifcount of Milan* 



SONG THE EIGHTEENTH, ion 

* Our Henry Hotlpur next, for high atchievemcnt meet, 

* Who with the thundring noife of his fwift couriers feet, 

* Aftun'd the earth, that day, that he in Holmdon's ftriff 

* Took Douglas, with the earls of Angus, andofFyfe. 

* And whilft thofe hardy Scots, upon the firm earth bled, 

* With his revengeful fword fwitcht after them that fled. 

* Then Calveriy, which kept us Calais with fuch (kill, 
< His honored room fhall have our catalogve to fill ; 

' Who, when th'rebellious Fren/ch, their liberty to gain, 

* From us our ancient right unjuftly did detain , 

* (T'let BuUen underftand our juft conceived ire) 

* Her fuburbs, and her fhips, fent up to heaven in fire ; 
♦Eftaples then toke in that day Ihe held her fair, 

* Whofc merchandife he let his foldiers freely (hare ; 

* And got us back faint Marks, which loofely we had loft. 

^ Amongfl thefe famous men, of us deferving moft, 

* In thefe of great'ft report, we glorioufly prefer, 

* For that his naval fight, John duke of Exeter ; 

* The puiflfant fleet of Jean (which France to her did call) 

* Who merciledy funk, and flew her admiral. 

* And one, for (ingle flght, amongfl our martial men, 

* Dc(crves remembrance here as worthily again -, 

^Qur Cliflford, that brave, young^ and moft courageous 

* fquire : 
^ Who thoroughly provok'd, and in a great deflre 
^ ynto theEnglifh name a high report to win, 
^ Slew Bockmel hand to hand at caftle Jocefin, 

* Supposed the nobleft fpirit that France could then produce. 
. * Now, forward to thy ta(k proceed, induftrious mu(e, 

* To him, above them all, our power that did advance j 

« John duke of Bedford, ftil'd the fire-brand to fad France : 

* Who to remove the foe from fieged Harflew, (ent, 
^ AflTrighted them like death ; and as at fea he went, 

* The huge French navy fir'd, when- horrid Neptune roar'd^ 

* The whilft tho(e mighty (hips out of their fcuppers pour*d 

* Their tray terous cluttred gore upon his wrinkled face, 

* He took flrong Ivery in : and like his kingly race, 

Uuv ♦There 



1012 P L r^O L B I N: 

* There down txfore Vernoyle the Englifti ftandard ftuck : 

* And having on his helm his conquering brother's luck, 
' Alanzon on the field and doughty Douglafs laid, 

* Which brought theScottifli power unto the Dauphin's aid ; 

* And with his faul fword, gave France her fill of death, 

* Till wearied with her wounds, fhe galping lay for breath. 

* Then, as if powerful heaven our part did there ^bct, 
^ Still did one noble fpirit, a noble fpirit beget. 

* So, Salifbury arofe j fropi whom, as from a fource 

* All valour feem'd to flow, and to maintain her force. 
^From whom i^ot all their forts could hold our treacherous 

^ foes. 

* Pontmelance he regainM, which ours before did lofe. 

* Againft; the envious French, at Cravant then came on ; 

* As fqtnetime at the fiege of hi^h-rcar'd liion, 

* The gods defcending, mix'd with mortnls in the fight: 

* And in his leading, (how'd fuch valour and fuch mighty 
^ As though his hand had held a more than earthly powers 

* Took Stuart in the field, and general Vantadour, 

* The French and Scottilh force that day, which bravely Icdj, 
^ Where few at all efcap'd, and yet the wounded fled. 

^ Mount Aguilon, and Mouns, great Salilbury furpriz'd : 

* §. What time (I think in hell) that ^ inflrument devis'd, 

* The firfl appeared in France/ as a prodigious birth 

* To plaguy the wretched world, fent from the envious earthy 

* Whofe very roaring fcem'd the mighty round to fhake, 

* As though of all again it would a chaos make. 

* This famous general then got Gwerhind to our ufl*, 

^ And Malicorne made our's,. with Loupland, and La Suife^ 

St. Bernard's Fort, St. Kales, St. Sufan, Mayon, Lyle, 
*'The Hermitage, Mountfcure, Baugency, and Yanvile. ■ 
* Then he (in all her fhapes th4t dreadful war had fecn, 

* And that with danger oft fo cdnyerfant had been, 

* As for her threats at lafl he fecm*d not once to care, 

* ^nd fortiine to her face adventVoufly, durft dare) 

* The earl of Suffolk, Poole, the marflial that great day 

* At Agiocoii^t, where France before us proftratc lay 

' * Our 
p Great ordnance. 



c 



SONG THE EIGHTEENTH. 1013 

* (Our battles every where that HcAor-like fupply'd, 

* And march'd 6'er murder'd piles of Frenchmen as they 

dy'd) 

* Invefted Aubcmerle, rich Cowcy making our's, 

^ And at theBifhop's Park overthrew the Dauphin's powers- 

* Through whofe long time in war, his credit fo increased, 

* That he fupply'd the room of Salilbury deceas'd. 

^ In this our warlike rank, the two ftout Aftons then, 

* Sir Richard and Sir John, fo truly valiant men, 

^ That ages yet to come fhall hardly over-top 'em, 

* UmfreviJ, Peachy, Franch, Montgomery, pelton^Popham. 
^ All men of great command, and highly thatdeferv'd : 

* Courageous Ramfton next, fo faithf4Hy that ferv'd 

* At Paris, and St. James de Bcaeon, where we gave 

* The French thofe deadly foils, that ages fince deprave 

* The credit of thofe times, with thcfe fo wond'rous things, 

* The memory of which, great Warwick forward brings. 

* Who (as though in his blood he conqueft did inherit, 
« Or in the very name thcEc were fome fecret fpirit) 

^ Being chofea for thcfe wars in our great regent's place 
« (A deadly foe to France, like his brave Rqm^ race) 

* Thecaftiletsof Loyre, ofMaict, and of Lund, 

^ Mountdublian, and the ftropg Pountorfon beat to ground, 

* Then he, above dicm all, himfelf that fovight to raife, 
' Upon fome mountain top, like a Piramides; 

* Our Talbot, to the French fo terrible in war, 

^ That with his very name their babes they us'd to fcar, ' 

* Took in the ftrong Laval), and Main all over-ran, 
' As the betrayed Mons he from the marflial wan, 

* And from the treacherous foe our valiant Suffolk freed, 

* His (harp and dreadful fword made France fo oft to bleed^ 
^ Till fainting with her wounds, fheon her wreck did fall ; 

* Took loi'ng, where he hung her traitors on the wall ; 
« And with as fair fuccefs won Beaumant uponOyfe, 

' The new town in Efmoy, and Crifpin in Valloyes : 

' Creile, with St. Maxine's-bridge -, and at Auranche's aid, 

* Before whofe battcr'd wsiiUs the foe was ftrongly laid, 

U u u 2 * March'd 



1014 T L r.O L B 10 N: 

* MarchM in, as of the fiege at all he had not known j 

* And happily relievM the hardly ^gotten Roan: 

* Who at the very hint came with aufpicious feef ^ 

* Whereas the traiterous French he niiferably beat. 
^ And having over-fpread all Picardy with war, 

* Proud Burgame to the field he laftly Tent to dare, 

* Which with his Englifli friends fo oft his faith had broke: 

* Whofe countries he made mourn in clouds of fmouldring 

fmoak : 

* Then Gyfors he again, then did St. Denis raze : 

* His parallel, with him, the valiant Scales, we praife ; 

* Which oft put fword to (word, and fo6t to foot did fet : 

* And that the firft alone the garland might not get, 

* With him hath hand in hand leap-d into danger*s jaws ; 

* And oft would forward put, where Talbot flood to paufej 

* Equality in fanie, which with an equal lot, 

* Both at St. Denis* fiege, and batter-d Guyfors got. 

* Before iPont-Orfon^s walls, who, when great Warwick lajn 

* (And he with foldiers fent a foriaging for prey) • 

* Six thpufaftd French overthrew with half their nqmbrcd 

powers^ 

* And ahfolutely made both Main ^nd Anjou our*s. 

? Tq Willoughby the next, the place by turn doth feU^ 

* Whole coprage likely was to bear it from them all : * 

* With admiration oft on whom they ftood to look, 

* St. Vallery's proud gates that ofF the hinges (hook : 
/ In Burgundy that forced the recreant French to fly, 

* And beat the rebels down difordering Normandy : 

* That Amiens near laid wafte (whofe ftrepgths her couli 

not lave) 
f And the perfidious French out of the country drave. 

* With thcfe, another troop of noble fpirits there fprung, 

* That with the foremoft preft into the warlike tl^rong. 

* The firft of whom we place that ftout Sir Philip Hall, 

* So famous in the fight ag^nft the Count St. Paul, 

* That Crotoy us regain'd : and in the copfiift 'twixt 

* The Englilh and the French, rfiat with the Spot were mix'd, 
^ 'On 



SONO THE EIGHTEENTH. loi^i 

* On proud Charles Clermont won that admirable day. 

* Strong Fdftolph with this man compare we juftly mayt 

* By Salifbury who oft being ferioufly employed 

* In many a brave attempt, the general foe annoy'd -, 

* With excellent fuccefs in Main and Anjou fought : 

* Arid riiany a bulwark there into our keeping brought ; 

* Ai\d chofen to go forth with Vadamont in war^ 

* ^Ioft refolutely took proud Renate duke of Barre* 

* The valiant Dray tons thenj Sir Richard artd Sir John, 

* By any Englifh fpirits yet hardly over-gone i 

^ The fame they got in France, with coftly wounds that 

bought : 
« In GafconyandGuyne, who oft and ftoutly fought^ 
^ Then, valiant Matthew Gough : for whom the EngHlh 

were 
^ Miich bound to nobl^ Wales in all our battles there, 

* Or fie^ng or befieg'd that never failed oiir force^ 

* Oft hazarding his blood in many a defperate courfe. 
^ He beat the Ballard Balme with his feledted band, 

* And at his caftle-gatc furpriz'd him hand to hand, 

* And fpight of all his power away him prilbner bare. 

' *'Our hardy Burdet then with him we will compare, 

* Befieg'd within St. James de Beneon, ifluing out, 

* Crying Salifbury, St. George, with fuch a horrid Ihout, 

* That cleft the wandering clouds ; and with his valiant crew 

* Upon the envied French like hungry lions flew, 

* And Arthur earl of Eure and Richmont took in fight : 
^ Then following them (in heat) the army put to flight : 

* The Briton, French^ and Scot, received a general fack, 
^ As, flying, one fell ftill upon another's back ; 

* Where our fix hundred flew fo many thotifands more. 

* At our fo good fuccefs that once a Frenchman fwore 

* That God was wholly turned unto the Englifti fide, 

* And to aflift the French the Devil had deny'd. 

* Then here our Kerril claims his rooni amongfl: the reftt 

* Who juftly if compared might match bur very beft. 

* He in our wars in France with oUr gteat Talbot oft, 

* With WilloUghby ind Scales, now down, and thenal<rft, 

Uu u q fExir 



ioi6 POL r^O L B 7 O N: 

* EndurM the furidry turns of often varying fate -, 

* At Clermont feiz'd the earl before his city gate, 

* Eight hundred faithlefs French who took or put to fword ; 

* And, by his valour, twice to Artois us reftor'd. 

* In this our fervice then great Arondel doth enfue, 

* The marlhal Boufack who in Beuvoys overthrew ; 

* And, in defpight of France and .all her power, did win 

* The caftles Darle, Nellay, St. Lawrence, Bomelin \ 

* Took Silly, and Count Lore at Sellerin fubdu'd, 

* Where with her owner's blood, her buildings heimbruM; 

* Revolted Loveers fack'd, and manfully fuppreft 

* Thofe rebels that fo oft did Normandy moleft. 

* As Poynings, fuch high praife in Guelderland that got, 

* On the Savoyan fide, that with our Englifh fhot 

* Struck warlike Ailk, and Straule, when Flanders fhook 

with fear, 

* As Howard, by whofe hand we fo renowned were i 

^ Whofe great fuccefs at fea, much fam'd our Englifti fleet : 

* That in a naval fight the Scottifh Barton beat ; 

* And fetting foot in Fi:ance, her horribly did fright : 

* (As if great Chandos* ghofl:, or feared Talbot's fp'rit 

* Had come to be their fcourge, their fame again to earn) 

* Who having fteutly fack'd both Narbin and Deverne, 

* The caftles of De Boyes, of Fringes, took us there, 

* Of Columburge, of Rew, of Dorians, and Daveere ; 
^ In Scotland, and again the marches eaft to weft, 

* Did with invafive war moft terribly infeft. 

* A nobler of that name, the earl of Surrey then, 
' That famous heroe fit both for the fpear and pen 

* (From Flodden's doubtful fight, that forward Scottifh kin^ 

* In his viftorious troop who home with him did bring) 

* Rebellious Ireland fcourg'd, in Britany and wan 

* Us Morles. Happy time that brcd'ft fo brave a man ! 
/ ToCobham, next, the place defervedly doth fall : 

* in France who then employed with our great admiral, 

* In his fucccfsful road blewSclIois up in fire, 

* Took Bottingham and Bruce, with Samkerke and Manfier. 

*Our 



SONG THk EIGHTEENTH. 1017 

' Our Peachy, nor our Carre, nor Thomas, fhallbehid, 

* That at the field of Spurrcs by Tirwyn (loutly did. 

* Sandfj Guyldfard, Palmer, Lyle, Fitzwilliams, and with 

them, 

* Brave Dacres,.Mufgrave, Br^y, Coe^ Wharton, Jerning- 

ham, 

* Great martialiife, and men that were renowned far 

* At fea; fome in the French, fome in the Scottifh war. 

* Courageous Randolph then, that ferv'd with great 

command, 

* Before Newhaven firft, and then in Ireland. 

* The long-Fenown'd lord Gray, whofe fpirit we oft did try^ 

* A man that with dread Mars ftood in account mofi high. 

* Sir Thomas Morgan then, much fame to us that wan> 

* When in our maiden reign the Belgick war began t 

* Who with our friends the Dutch, for England ftoutly ftood, 

* When Netherland firft learn'd to lavifh gold and blood. 

* Sir Roger Williams next (of both whichWales might vaunt) 
' His martial compeer then, and brave commilitant : 

' Whofe conflifts, with the French and Spanifii manly fought, 

* Much honour to their names, and to the Britons brought. 

^ Th' lord Willoughby may well be reckoned with the reft, 

* Inferior not a whit to any of our beft •, 

' A man fo made for war, as though from Pallas fprung. 

* Sir Richard Bingham then our valiant men among> 

* Himfelf in Belgia well, and Ireland, who did bear ; 

* Our only fchools of war this later time that were. 

* As Stanly whofe brave aft at Zutphen's fervice done, 

' Much glory to the day, and him his knighthood won. 

* Our nobleft Norris next, whofe fame (hall never die 

* Whilft Belgia fliall be known ; or there's a Britany : 

* In whofe brave height of fpirit, time feem'd as to reftorc 

* Thofe, who to th'Englifh name fuch honour gainM of yore. 

* Great Effex of our peers the laft that ere we knew j 

* Th* old world's heroes lives who likeli'ft did renew j 

* The foldier's only hope^ who ftoutly ferv'd in France j 

* And on the towers of Calcs as proudly did advance 

!Our 
Umu 4 



ioi8 POLT-OLBION: 

* Our Englifli enfigns then, and made Iberia quake, 

* When as our warlike fleet rode on the furging lake, 

* T* receive that city's fpoil, which fet her batter'd gate • 

* Wide ope, t* affrighted Spain to fee her wretched ftate. 

* Next, Charles, lord Mountjoy, fent to Ireland to fupprefs 

* The envious rebel there •, by whofe moft fair fuccels, 

* The trowzed Irifh led by their unjuft Tyrone,, 

* And the proud Spanifli force werejaftly overthrown. 

^ ' That flill Kingfale fliall keep and faithful record bear, 

* What by the Englifti prowefs was executed there. 

* Then liv'd thofe valiant Veres, both men of great 

command 
« In our imployments long : whofe either mardal hand 

* Reached at the higheft wreath, it from the top to get, 

* Which on the proudeft head, fame yet had ever fet. 

* Our Dokwray, Morgan next. Sir Samuel Bagnall, then 

* Stout Lambert, fuch as well deferve a living pen ; 

* True martialifts, and knights, of noble fpirit and wit. 

* The valiant Cecil laft, for great employment fit, 

* Defervedly in war the lat'ft of our*s that rofc : 

* Whofe honour every hour, and fame (till greater grows/ 

When now the Kentifh nymphs do interrupt her fong. 
By letting Medway know fhe tarried had too long 
Upon this warlike troop, and all upon them laid. 
Yet for their nobler Kent fhe nought or little faid. 

When as the pliant mufe, ftraight turning her about^ 
And coming to the land as Medway goeth out. 
Saluting the dear foil, *0 famous Kent, quoth fhe, 

* What country hath this ifle that can compare with thee, 

* Which hafl within thyfelf as much as thou canft wifli I 

* Thy conies, ven'fon, fruit, thy forts of fowl and fifh : 

« As what with flrength comports, thy hay, thy corn, thy 
wood: 

* Nor any thing doth want, that any where is good. 

* Where Thames-ward to the Ihorc, which (hoots upon the 

rife, 
"• RichTcnham undertakes thy clofcts to fufficc 

' With 



f ■, 

SONG THE EIGHTEENTH. 1019 
« With cherries^ which we fay, the fummcr in doth bring, 
« Wherewith Pomona crowns the plump and luftful fpring; 
« From whofe deep ruddy cheek, fweet Zephyr kifles fteals, 
I « With thdr delicious touch his love-fick heart that heals, 
• * Whofe golden gardens feemth'Hefperides to mock : 

* Nor there thedamibn wants, nor dainty apricock, 

< Nor pippin, which we hold of kernel-fruits the king, 

* The apple-orange ; then the favoury ruflettan : 

* The pcar-mdn, which to France long ere to us was known, 
" * Which carefiil fruit'rers now have denizen'd our own. 

^ * Theraiat: which though firft it from the pippin came, 
J * Grown through his purenels nice, aflumes that curious 

name, 
i • Upon the pippin Hock, the pippin being fet 5 

* As on the gende, when the gende doth beget 

■ * (Both by the fire and dame being anciently defcended) 

* The iflue born of them, his blood hath much amended. 

* The fweeting, for whofe fake the plow-boys oft make war: 

* The wilding, coftard, then the wdl-known pomwacer, 

* And fundry other fruits, of good, yet fcveral tafte, 

* That have their llindry names in fundry countries plac*d ; 

< Unto whofe dear incrcafe the gardener fpcnds his life, 

* With piercer, wimble, fawj his mallet, and his knife ; 

* Oft covereth, oft doth bare the dry and moift*ned root, 

* As faindy they milhke, or as they kindly fute : 

« And their fclcfted plants doth workman-like beftow, 

* That in true order they conveniendy may grow. 

* And kills the (limy fnail, the worm, and labouring ant, 

* Which many times annoy the graft and tender plant : 

* Or clfe maintains the plot much ftarved with the wet, 

* Wherein lus dainticft fruits in kernels he doth fet : 

* Or fcrai>eth off the mofs, the trees that oft annoy. 

But with thefe trifling things why idly do I toy. 
Who any way the time intend not to prolong ? 
To thofc Thamifian iflcsnow nimbly turns my Song, . 
Fair Shepey and the Greane fufRciently fupply'd, 
. To beautify the place where Med way Ihows her pride.- 

But 



1020 P L r- O L B J N: 

I 

But Greane feems moft of all the Med way to adore, 
And Tenet Handing forth to the ^ Rhutupian fliore, 
By mighty Albion plac*d till his return again 
From Gaul ; where after he by Hercules was flain. 
For earth-born Albion, then great Neptune's eldeft fon. 
Ambitious of the fame by fternAlcides won. 
Would over (needs) to Gaul, with him to hazard fight. 
Twelve labours which before accomplifh'd by his might ; 
His daughters then but young (on whom was all his care) 
Which Doris, Thetis' nymph, unto the giant bare : 
With whom thofe iiles he left ; and will'd her for his fake, 
That in their grandfire's court fhe much of them would 

make : 
But Tenet, th* eld'ft of three, when Albion was to go. 
Which lov'd her father bed, and loth to leave him fo. 
There at the giant raught; which was perceived by chance: 
This loving ifle would elfe have followed him to France ; 
To make the channel wide that then he forced was, 
§. Whereas (fome fay) before he us*d on foot to pals. 

Thus Tenet being ftay'd, and furely fettled there. 
Who nothing lefs than want and idlenefs could bear, 
Doth only give herfelf to tillage of the ground. ] 

With fundry forts of grain whilft thus fhe doth abound. 
She falls in love with Stour, which coming down by Wye, 
And towards the goodly ide, his feet doth nimbly ply. 
To Canterbury then as kindly he reforts. 
His famous country thus he glorioufly reports •, 

* O noble Kent, quoth he, this praife doth thee belong, 

* The hard'ft to be control'd, impatienteft of wrong. 

* Who, when the Norman firft with pride and horror fway*d, 

* Threw'ft off the fervile yoke upon the Englifh laid ; 

* And with a high refolve, moft bravely didft rcftore 
« That liberty fo long enjoy'd by thee before. 
« §. NotfufF'ring foreign laws fhould thy free cuftoms bind, 

* Then only fhow'd'ft thyfelf of th* ancient Saxon kind. 

* Of all the Englifh fliires be thou furnamM the Free, 

* §. And foremoft ever plac'd, when thev (hall reckoned be. 

' And 

1 Near Sandwich. 



"SONG THE EIGHTEENTH. 1021 

* And let this town, which chief of thy' rich country is, 

* Of all the Britifh fees be ftill Metropolis.' 

Which having faid, the Stour to Tenet him doth hie. 
Her in his loving arms embracing by and by. 
Into the mouth of Thames one arm that forth doth lay. 
The other thrufting out into the Celtick fea. 
§. Grim Goodwin all this while feems grievouQy to lowre. 
Nor cares he of a ftraw for Tenet, nor her Stour ; 
Still bearing in his mind a mortal hate to France 
Since mighty Albion's fall by war's uncertain chance. 
Who, fince his wifli'd revenge not all this while is had, 
'Twixt very grief and rage is fall'n extremely mad ; 
That when the rolling tide doth ftir him with her waves. 
Straight foaming at the mouth, impatiently he raves, 
And ftrives to fwallow up the fca-marks in his deep. 
That warn the wand'ring fhips out of his jaws to keep. 

The.furgeons of the fea do all their (kill apply. 
If polfibly, to cure his grievous malady : 
As i^mphitrite's nymphs their very utmoft prove. 
By all the means they could, his madnefs to remove. 
From Greenwich to thefe fands, fome fcurvy-grafs do bring. 
That inwardly apply'd's a wond'rous fovefeign thing. 
From Shepey, fea-mofs fome, to cool his boiling blood -, 
Some, his ill-feafon'd mouth that wifely underftood, 
Rob Dover's neighbouring cleeves of fampyre, to excite 
His dull and fickly tafte, and ftir up appetite. 

Now, Shepey, when fhe found ftie could no farther wade 
After her mighty fire, betakes her to his trade. 
With (heep-hook in her hand, her goodly flocks to heed, 
And cheriflieth the kind of thofe choice Keniifli breed. 
Of villages llie holds as hufbandly a port, 
As any Britifh iQe that neighboureth Neptune's court. 
But Greane, as much as fhe her father that did love 
(And, then the inner land, no farther could remove) 
In fuch continual grief fbr Albion doth abide. 
That ^moft under flood fhe wccpcth every tide. 

IL- 



lozi - P O L r-^0 L B I O N: 
ILLUSTRATIONS; 

OUT of SuiTex, into itscaHern neighbour, Kent, this canto leads yod. 
It begins with Rother, whole running through the woods, iniflidg i 
Oxney, anU fuch lilve, poetically here defcribed is plain enough to any J 
apprehending conceit ; and upon Medway*s fong of our martial and 1 
heroic ipiriis, becaufe a large volume might be written to explain their { 
glory in particular adlion, and in lefs compreheuAon, without wrong tO 
in^ny worthies it is not performable, 1 have omitted all iUuftration of- 1 
that kind, and left you to the mufe herfelf. 



That Lmien then ivas named.- 



So the author conjeflurcs ; chat Rother*s mouth was the place called ^ 

Limen, at which the Danes in the time of kin^ Alfred made irruptiOD ; ' 

which he mail (I think] maintain by adding likelihood that Rother thea 

fell into the ocean about Hith ; where (as the reliques of the name in p 

Lime, and the diftance from Canterbury in Antoninus, making * Porta ° 

Lemanis, which is mifprinted inSuraca^s edition, Poncem Lemanis, fixteCA i 

miles oiF) it iee:ns Li:nen, then alfo, there was it difcharged out of the 

land. But for the author's words read this ; Equeftris Faganorum fJP- 

trcitus cumfuis equis CC L, na'vibus Cantiam tranfve^us in Oflto Amntf 

I«imen qui de fel*va magna An. 1 red nominata decurrit^ afplictdt^ a ci^ui 

•JiiolIIL milliarijs ineandemfylvam names fuas furfum traxit^ uhiquanioM 

arcemfemijiru3am^ quam pauci inhabitabant 'vi//ani, diruerunt, aliamfui 

fibi firmiorem in loco qui dicitur Apultrea conftruxerunt^ which are the fyl- 

iables of Florence of IVorcefter ; and with him in fubftance fully agreei 

Matthew of Wellminiler ; nor can I think but that they imagined Biyt 

(where now Rother hath its mouth) to be this port of Limen, as the 

mufe here ; if you refpedt her diredl terms. Henry of Huntingdon names 

no river at all, but lands them ad portum Limene cum 250 na'vibus qui 

partus lefi in Orientali parte Cnetjuxta magnum nemus Andredjlaigi. How 

Kother's mouth can be properly faid in the eaft (but rather in the (buth 

part) of Kent, I conceive not» and am of the adverfe part, thinkiiM; 

clearly that Hith mull be Portus Lemanis, which is that coaft, as alio 

learned Camden teaches, whofe authority cited out of Huntingdon, being 

near the fame time with Florence might be perhaps thought but as of equal 

credit « therefore I call another witnefs (that ^ lived not much pad L. 

years after his arrival) in thefe words. In Limneo portu conftituunt 

pMfpes^ 3IIp0lDg0 (fo I read, for the print is corrupted) ioco condiSo Orr* 

tutaii Cantia parte ^ dejlruuntque ihipri/co opere cafirum propter quodruJHca 

manus exigua quippe intrinfecus erat^ iliicquc hibcrna cajlra confirmant. Out 

of which you note both that no river, but a port only, is fpoken of, and 

that the (hips were left in the fhore at the haven, and thence the Danes 

convey ed^theur companies to Appledore. The words of this Ethelwerd 

ii r.rwanis in n^t't. r.tr. provinc. 



SONG THE EIGHTEENTH. 1023 

I tttptGt mpch more than the later dories, aiid I would advife my reader 
{p incline (o with me.. 

IFbaS time I think in hell that injirument drcifcd. 

fie means a gun \ wherewith that rood noble and right martial Tbo*' 
ttas Montague earl of ^alifbory at the Siege of Orleans in the time of 
Aenry V 1. was flain. The firfl inventor of them [I guefs you diflike not 
the addition) was one 5 Berthold Swarcz (others fay Conltantius Anklitzen 
i Dutch Monk and Chymid) who having in a mortar, fulphurous pow- 
der for medicine, covered with a (lone, a fpark of fire by chance falling 
into it, fired it^ and the fUme removed the (lone ; which he obferving, 
made ufe afterwards of the like in lictlp pipes of iron, and fhewed the 
ofe to the Venetians in their war with tne Genoefc at Chioggia about 
1380. Thus is the common a^Tertion : bu( I fee as good ^ authority, 
tbit it was ufed above twenty yes^rs before in the Danilh feas. I 
will not difpnte the conveniency pf it in the world, compare it with 
Silmoneus^s imitation of thunder, Archimedes^s engines, and fuch like ; 
iior tell you that the Chinefe had it, and printing, fo many ages befbce 
ps, as Mendoza Mafiy and others deliver 9 but not with ^rfiiading cre^ 
ditto all their readers. 

Whereas fome [ay before he ufed on foot to pafs. 

The allufion is to Britain^ being heretofore joined to Gaul in this 

Sraight betwixt bover and Calais (fome thirty miles over) as ibme mo- 
ems have conjedtured. That learned antiquary I. Twme is very con« 
fident in it, and derives the name from SB^Jt^ fignifying (as he fays) as 
ffloch as6ait^» i.e. a reparation in WelQi, wnence the ^iile of Wight was 
fo called ; Guith and Wight being foon made of each other. Of this 
opinion is the late Verfiegan, as you may read in him ; and for exami- 
nation of it, our great light of antiquity Camden hath propofed divers 
conliderations, in which, experience of particulars mud dire£l. How- 
foever this was in truth, it is as likely, for ought I fee, as that Cyprus 
was once joined to Syria, Eubcra (now Negropont) to Bceocia, Atalante 
to Eubcea, Belbicum to Bithynia, Leucofia to Thrace, as is ^ affirm'^ 
ed ; and Sicily (whofe like our ifland is) was certainly broken off from 
the continent of Italy, as both Virgil exprefly, Strabb and Pliny deli- 
ver; and alfo the names of Rhegium, 1 9r«^ t^ *^fiy»us6ai, and of the 
|af Sicily ; which rather than from Secare, I derive from *» SiciUn, 
which is of the fame fignification and nearer in analogy : CIai)dian calls 
theifle 



t % Pdyd^ deJn-vetit. nf, 2. tap, 3. i^ 
Smfm^h, md G* TancirolLx, tit, i%, 
6 Athilki Gaffar, ap, Munjt, Cojm^, 3. 
C ^Mi. Btulant ad, Niimium, 



f P/jir. bifl. Nat, 2. cap. 88* 
g From breaking oH. Traig, biji, 4. ^ 
Strab. %, 
h Varr* di re ruftic, l,Cfip, ^g^ 



1024 POL r^O L B I O N: 

DiduSla Britannia Mundo ; 

and Virgil hath 

Tcto divifcs crhe Britajtnos. 

Where Servius is of opinion, that, for this purpofe, the learned poe^ :; 
ufed that phrafe. And it dcferves inquifition, how beafls of rapine, as' " 
foxes and luch like, came firft into this ifland (for England and Wale?, as ' 
now Scotland and Ireland, had llore of wolves, until fome three hun- ^ 
dred years fince) if it were not joined to a firm land, that either by like ^ 
conjundlion, or narrow pafTage of fwiming, might receive them from ' 
that continent where the ark refled, which is Armenia. That mea 'a 
defined to tranfport them, is not likely ; and a learned ^ jefuit hath con- « 
jeftured, that the Weft-Indies are therefore, or have been, joined with r- 
firm land, becaufe they have lions, wolves, panthers, and fuch like,' ^- 
which in the Bermudas, Cuba, Hifpaniola, St. Domingo, and other 3e 
remote iflesi are not found. Bat no place here to difpute the (jueftion. 

Notfuffering foreign hivsJhouU thy free cujioms bind. 

To explain it, 1 thus englilli you a fragment of an old ^ monk : When - 
the Norman conqueror had the day, he came to Dower cafikn that h$ might \ 
lAJtth the fame fuhdue Ker.^ alfo ; twhere/ore, Stigand archhijhop^ and , 
Egeljtnahhot^ asthechlcfcfthutjh'.rey ofifirwing that nofiu inhere as hirt' . 
tifire no Villains (the latin is, rfullus fiierat fcrvus, and applying it to 
our law-phrafe, 1 tranflate it) hadheen in England^ they Jhoutd be no^ all 
in honde^e t9 the Normans^ they fiffemhled all the county^ andjheijoed the im* 
fnintnt aavgrrr^ the :nfolence of the Normans^ and the fjard condition ofViU 
lainage : Thev^ rcfnlving all rather, to die than lofe their freedom^ purpofe /« 
encounter njciih the duke for their country* s liherty. Tkur captains are tht 
^^chhi/lop a-td thf ahhot, Updn/tn appointed day ihif meet all at S^wanefcombf 
and harbouring thejnfel'ves in the ^oodsy ivith houghs in e'very maits handy 
they incompafs his ivay. The next day, the duki coming by S<wafi£fcomh, 
Jeemed to fee *iK:ith aviaz.Bmenty at it ijcere a ijcood approaching to'wards him', 
the Kentifb men at the fund of a trumpet take themfelves to. arms, nuhen 
prtfently the crchhijhop and abbot nvere fent to the duke and fainted him *with 
ihefe <ivords : Bihold, fir duke, the Kcntifhrften come to meet you , nvilling 
to recei'oeyou n\ ihsrr Uege lord, upon that condition, that they may for ever 
wjoy their nnd-vJ liberties andlanus ufed among their anceftors \ othej-^jcife 
. prefenthf offrving nvar ; being ready rather to die, thdn undergo a yoke of 
bondage^ end ly'c their ancient laivs. The 1^ or man in this narro<w pinch, 
not fo ivillifig /v, as rifely, granted the dejire ; and hofiages gi'ven on both 
fides, th%KentiJb men direSi the Not mans to Rcchejler^ a :ddeli<ver them tht 
ounty and the caflle of Dover » Hither is commonly refered the retain- 
ing of ancient liberties in Kent. Indeed it is ceruin that fpecial cujOoms 
the/ have in chcir Gavelkind (although now many of their gentlemefiVs 

pofleflions 

'^Jiftpb. jicBJ}, de natur, novi oibit i.l kT/c. Spf^tus ap. Lamb, in exilic, vcrl\ 



&ONG THE EIGHTEENTH. 1025 

poffeffions ' arc altered in that ^?LXt) fujfering for felony y ijuithutfirfeiture 
of eftatty and fuch like, as in particular, with many other diligent tra- 
ditions you have in Lambard's Perambulation; yet the report of Thomas 
Spot, is not, methinksy of clear credit, as well by reafon that no war- 
rant of the hdftorians about the Conqueft afErms it (and this monk lived 
nnder Ed. I.) asalfo for his commixture of a fauxete about villainage, 
frying it was not in England before that time, which is apparently falfe 
if divers teftimenies. ^ Gip peop (fays king Ines*s laws J rync& onSunnan 
«5. be hif Hlaj:oyii>er haepr yy heprieo 5 and, under Ed Ward the Con- 
eflbr, CljO^OlD of JSeaUC&enale grants to the abbey of Crowlarvd his 
Dannor ot bpaiding, with all tne apurtenances, falicet Col^n7iu?n pne- 
^tiMmeum^ l^ Utamfequelam fuaniy cum omnibus bo7iisi^ catallisy qua 
ygbtt in di^a 'vilkt^ &c. Item Hardin rufn fahrum tff totam fequelam 
\tam i and the young wench of Andover, that Edgar was in love with, 
vas a Nief. But for Kent, perhaps it might be true, that no villains 
vere in it, feeing fince that time it hath been adjudged in our ^ law, that 
Doe born there could not without conifans of record be a villain. 

And foremoft ever plac'd when they Jball reckon' d be. 

For this honour of the Kentifh, hear one ^ that wrote it about Henry 
II. Enudus (as fome copies are, but others, Cinidus ; and perhaps 
it (hould be fo, or rather Cnudus, for king Cnut ; or elfe I cannot con- 
jcfture what) quanta virtute Anglorum, Dacos Danofquefregerit motufque 
'tomfefcuerit Noricorunty *vel ex eo perfpicuum efl, quod cb fgt egia wirtutis 
WiTitum quam ibidem potenter (ff patenter exercuit, Cantia noftra, primae 
cohortis honorem 8c primus co/igrefTus bojlium ufqtu iu hodiernum diem in 
9wmibus praliis obtinet. Provincia quoque Se^eriana^ qua modervo ufu ^ 
tftmineab incolis Wiltefira ^vocatur^ eadem jure Jibi <vendicat Cokortem fuh- 
fi&ariam^ adjeSid Jibi De<vonid fcf Cornubid. Briefly, it had the firft 
fioglifh king, in it was the firft duifliantty among the Englifh, and Can- 
terbury then honoured with the metropolitic fee ; all which give noie 
of liODourabie prerogative. 

Grim Goodwin hut ^tbc ''ivbile fcems grievoujly to lowre. 

That is Goodwin fands, which is reported to have been the patrimony 
Pqf that Goodwin earl of Kent, under Edwacd the Confefibr, fwalk>wed 
into the ocean by a (Irange tempcil fomewhat after the conqueft, and i& 
now as a float ng iile or quickfand, very dangerous toiailors, fometimes 
as fixt, fometimes moving, as the mufe defcribes. 

POLT- 



1 StJt. 3 1. Hen.%,cap,^* 
xn If a villain work on Sunday by his 
Lord^s commaiid, he Aail bie. free. 

n hitt. Cornub, 30. Ed. i. |^inena0e 

tfi,& Micb, 5. Ld, 2' Ms, inJitbiijtvu. 



Int, TetKpi, caf, John dt Gtirton, 

o yob, Sarifiur. de Nugii curial, $. cap. 

xS. • 
p lUa. Bcetb. bift. Scctic. 12, & Je, 

Iwin, Albionic, 2. 



( 102(5 ) { 

POL T'O L B I O N: 
SONG THE NINETEENTH^ 

The Argument. 

^be mufe^ now over Thames makes for tb^ 
Upon her pro^refs to the norths 
From Cauney with a full carreer^ 
She up againjl the Jtr earn doth bear ; 
Wberje Waltbam ForefPs pride expreft^ 
She points direSlly to the Eajl^ 
4nd Jhews bow /ill thofe rivers ftrain 
^Through EJfeXy to the German main j 
7Vhen Stour^ with OrweVs aid prefers^ 
Our Britifh brave fea-voyagers ; 
Half Suffolk in with them Jhe takes^ 
Where of this fong an end Jhe makes. 

BEar bravely up my mufe, the way thou wcnt*ft before. 
And crofs the kingly Thames to the Efle»an (hore. 
Stem up his tydeful ftream^ upon that fide to rife. 
Where * Cauney, Albion's child in-ifled richly lies, 
Wluch, though her lower fcite doth make her fcem but 

mean, 
Of him as dearly lov*d as Shepey is or Greane, 
And him as dearly lov*d -, for when he would depart. 
With Hercules to fight, (he took it fo to heart. 
That falling low and flat, her blubber'd face to hide. 
By Thames Ihe well near is furrounded every tyde : 

And 

* An iiland lying in the tbamf9« on Eflex fifc; 



SONG THE NINETEENTH. 1027 

And -fince of worldly ftate, fhe never laketh keep. 
But only gives her feif^ to tend and milk her fheep. 

But mule, from her fo low, divert thy high-fet fong 
To London- wards, and bring from Lea with thee atong 
The forefts, and the floods, and moft exaftly fliow, 
How thefe in order ftand, how thofe direftly flow : 
For in that happy foil, doth pleaTure ever won^ 
Through forefts, where clear rills in wild meanders run 1 
Where dainty fummer bowers, and arborets are made. 
Cut out of bufliy thicks, for coolnefs of the (hade. 
Fools gaze at painted courts, to th'country let me go, 
To climb the eafy hill, then walk the valley low ; 
No gold-emboflTcd roofs, to me are like the woods ; 
No bed like to the grafs, no liquor like the floods : 
A city's but a fink, gay houfcs gawdy graves. 
The mufes have free leave, to ftarve or live in caves. 

But ^ Waltham forefl: ftill in profperous eflate, 
.As Handing to this day (fo ftrangely fortunate) 
Above her neighbour nymphs, and holds her head aloft 5 
A turf beyond them all, fo fleke and wondrous foft. 
Upon her fetting fide, by goodly London grac'd. 
Upon the north by Lea, her fouth by Thames embracM. 
Upon her rifing point, (he chanced to efpy, 
A dainty foreft-nymph of her fbciety. 
Fair "" Hatfield, which in height all other did (bfmounC, 
And of the Dryades held in very high account ) 
Yet in refpedb of her ftood far out of the way. 
Who doubting of her felf, by others late decay, 
Her fitter's glory viewM with an aftonifli'd eye. 
Whom Waltham wifely thus reprovcth by and by. 

* Dear fitter reft content, nor our declining rue, ' 

• What thing is in this world, that we can fay is new ; 

• The ridge and furrow Ihews, that once the drooked plow, 

• Turn'd up the grafly turf, where oaks are rooted now : 

Xxx * And 

^ The fcitsation of Waltham i wards the tfafi^ between Stortfbrd 
lbreft» I and Oanmow, 

fHat£e!d forefl lying lower tQ^^ 



K>28 P I r^OL B 10 N: 

* And at this hour we fee, the Ihare and coulter tear 

* The full corn-bearing glebe, where fometimes forefti 

* were 5 

* And thofe but caitifs are, which moft do feek our Ipoil, 

* Who having fold our woods, do laftly fell our foil 5 

* 'Tis virtue to give place to thefe ungodly times, 

* When as the foftred ill proceeds from others crimes ; 

* "Gainft lunaticks, and fools, what wife folk fpend their 

* force ; 

* For folly headlong falls, when it hath had the courfe : 

* And when God gives men up, to ways abhor'd and vile, 
« Of underftanding he deprives them quite, the while 

* They into error nin, confounded in their fin, 

* As fimple fowls in lime, or in the fowler's gin. 

* And for thofe pretty birds, that wont in us to fing, 
*'They fhall at laft forbear to welcome in the fpring, 

* When wanting where to perch, they fit upon the ground, 

* And curfe them in thdr notes, who firft did woods con- 

* found. 

* Dear fifter Hatjfield, then hold up thy drooping head, 

* We fe6l no fucli decay, nor is all fuccour fled : 

* For Eflex is our dower, which gready doth abound 

* With every fimple good, that in the ifle is found : 

* And though we go to wreck in this {o general wafte, 

* This hope to us remains, we yet may be the laft. 

When Hatfield taking heart, where late flie fadlyftood, 
Sends little Roding forth, her beft beloved flood ; 
Which from her chriftal font, as to enlarge her fame. 
To many a village lends her clear and noble name. 
Which as (he wandreth on, through Waltham holds her way, 
Wkh goodly oaken wreaths, which makes her wond*^rous 

gay ; 
But making at the laft into the watry marfli. 
Where though the blady grafs unwholefome be and harlh, 
Thofe wreaths away flie cafts, which bounteous Waltham 

gave. 
With bulrulh, flags, and reed, to make her wond'rous bfave. 

And 



SONG TH« KINETEENTH. ii><i^ 

And bcr felPs ftrcngth divides^ fo fundry lefler ftr^ams^ 
So wantoning fht falls Into her foyereign Thames. 

From whofe vaft becchy banks a rumor ftraigbt re- 

founds, 
Which quickly ran it felf through the Eflexian grounds, 
Th it Crouch amongft the reft, a river's name fhould feck. 
As fcoming any more the nickname of a creek. 
Well furnilh'd with a ftream, that frpm the fill to fall> 
Wants nothing that a flood flaould be adorn*d withal. 
On ^ Benge*s batful fide, and at her going out, 
With Walnot, toulneffe fair, near watred round abgut* 
Two ides for greater ftate to ftay her up that ftand^ 
Thruft far into the Tea, yet fixed to the land ; 
As nature in that fort them purpofely had plac*d> 
That ftie by fea and land, fhould every way be gracM* 
-Same fea-nymphs and befides, her part (there were) (hat 

took. 
As angry that their Crouch ftiould not be call'd a brook i 
And hid her to complain to Neptune of her wrong. 

jBut whilfl thefe grievous ftirs thus hap'ned them amob^ 
Choice Chelmer comes along, a nymph moft neatly -cl^r^ 
Which well near through the midft doth cut the wealthy (hire. 
By Dunmow gliding down to Chelmsford holds her chafe, 
To wJiich flie gives the name, wluch as Ihe doth imbrate 
Clear Can comes trip^g in, and doth with Chelaier cjofe ; 
With whofe fuppJy (though fmall as yet) Ihe greater grow^. 
She for old Maldon makes, where in her paffing by. 
She to remembrance calls that Roman colony. 
And all thofe ominous figns her fall that did forego^ 
As that which moft exprelsM their fatal overthrow ; 
Crown'd vidory revers'd, fell down whereas fhe ftood^ 
And the vafl: greenifh fea, difcolourM like to bloody 
Shrieks heard like people's cries, that fee their deaths at 

hand, 
Tht pourtraitures of men imprinted in the iand^ 
WJien Chelmer fcarce arrives in her moft wifhed bay, 
But Sbcki^er comes in^ through many a cr«)pk(id way, 
Xxx2 "ffliAch 

.«> TktAriiiifUleft ksiidied «r Eflfx^ 



I030 POL r^O L B TO N: 

Which Pant was callM of yore ; but that, by time cxilM, 
She Frofhwell after hight, then Blackwater inftil'd, 
But few fuch titles have the Britifli floods among. 
When Northey near at hand, andth* ifle of Oufey rung 
With (hours the fea-nymphs gave, for joy of their arrive, 
As either of thofe ifles in courtefy do ftrive. 
To Tethis* darlings, which Ihould greateft honour da 
And what the former did, the latter adds thereto. 

But Colne, which frankly lends fair Colchefter her 
name, 
(On all th* Effcxian fliore, the town of greateft fame) 
Perceiving how they ftill in courtfliip did contend. 
Quoth (he, * Wherefore the time thus idly do you Ipend? 

• What is there nothing here, that you efteem of worth, 

• That our big-bellied fea, or our rich land brings forth ? 

• Think you our oyfters here, unworthy of your praife ? 

• Pure • Walfleet, which do ftill the daintieft palates pleafc, 

• As excellent as thofe, which are efteemed moft. 

• The ' Cyzic ftiells, or thofe on the Lucrinian coaft ; 

. ^ Or cheefe, which our fat foil to every quarter fends ; 

• Wbofe tack the hungry clown, and plow-man fb com- 

mends. 

• If you efteem not thefe, as things above the ground, 

• Look under, where the urns of antient rimes are founds 

• The Roman emp'rors coins, oft d%*d out of the duft, 

• And warlike weapons, now confgm'd with cankering 

ruft •, 

• The huge and mafly « bones, of mighty fearful men, 

• To tell the world's full fbrength, what creatures lived 

then ; 

• When in her height of youth, the lufty fruitful earth 

• Brought forth her big-limb'd brood, even giants in their 

birth/ 
Thus fpoke (he, when from fea they fuddenly do hear 
. A ftrortg and horrid noife, which flruck the land wthfear; 

Per 
• WaHIeec oyfters. which places were reckoned fer great 

' Cyzicum is a city of Bythinia. delicates with the Romans. 
— Lucrlnia is a city of Apulia upon < The bones of giant-like peo^ 
the Adriatic fea ; the oyfters of pie fonnd in thofe parts. 



SONQ THE NINETEEljrTH. idji 

For with their crooked trumps^ his Tritons Nepcunc fen(. 
To warn the wanton nymphs, that they incontinent 
Should ftraight repair to Stour^ in Orwell's plealant roads 
For 9 had been divulg'd the ocean all abroad, 
That Orwell and this Stour^ by meeting in one bay. 
Two, that each other's good, intended every way, 
Prepared to fing along, thatlhould precifely fhew. 
That ^ Medway for her life, their Ml could not out-go ; 
For Stour, a dainty flood, that duly doth divide 
Fair Suffolk from this (hire, upon her other fide ; 
By Clare firft coming in, to Sudbury doth (how. 
The even courfe (he keeps ; when far fhe doth not flow. 
But Breton a bright nymph, freiK fuccbur to her brii^*. 
Yet is file not fo proud of her fuperfluous fpritigs. 
But Orwell coming in from Ipfwidi thinks that (he, 
Shoukl ftand for it with Stour, and laftly they agree. 
That fince the Britons hence thdr firft difcoveries made. 
And that into the eafl: they firft were taught to trade* 
Befides, of all the roads, and havens of the eaft. 
This harbour where they meet, is reckoned for the beft. 
.Our voyages by fea, and brave difix>veries known. 
Their argument they make, and thus they fing their own i 

* in * Severn's late tun*d lay, that emprcfs of the weft. 
In which great Arthur's a&s are to the Ufe exprefs'd i 
His conquefts to the North, who Norway did invade, 
Who Greenland, Iceland next, then Lapland laftly made 
His awful empire's bounds, the Britons a£ts among, 
Tlus god-like hero's deeds exa£Uy have been lung ; 
His valiant people then, who to thofe countries brought. 
Which many an age fince that, our great'ft dilcoveries 

thought. 
This worthieft then of ours, our ^ Argonauts ihall lead. 

Next Malgo, who again that conqueror's fteps to tread. 
Succeeding him in reign, in conquefts fo no ieis, 
^ow'd up the frozen fea, and with as fair fuccefs, 

Xxx3 By 

. ^ Medwiy in the iStH fong, re- I , * Sec the 4thfon|* 
citeth tke^talogue of die Sngtift I ^ Scavoyaget. 



16^2 P 6 Lr^O I 6 TO Tf: 

By that ^reat conqueror's chum^ finft Orkney^ o^ot^ratrt 
Proud Denmark then fubdu'd, and ffxtctow NorwajP'wM, 
Sefz'd Icd^and for his dwn,. and Gothland t& each fhore, 
Where Arthur's full-ikird fleet hid ever touched hefiirc* 

And when the Brkons rdign came after to decline^ 
And to th« C^nnbrian hills tbeir latQ did dtem confine,! 
The SaXon fwaying all, in Aifrod's pawcrfial rc^, 
our Englifh Oaer put ^ fleet tdi fea igain^ 
Of th' huge Norwegian hilb, and ocw& did hither faring^ 
Whofe tof^ are hardly wrought in twcivc days traTcUing. 
But leaving Nori^y then a. ftarboard, forward kept. 
And With our Englifh iails that mighty ocean fwepr, 
Whtre thofe ftern people w^n, wham hope of gain dodi 

tail. 
In hufes with grapling hooks^ to hunt the dreadful whale } 
And great 'Etotia dotvti from her firft fpringing place. 
Doth roll her IVelling wares in churhfh Neptune's face. 

Then Wdplftah after him difixifvering Dant^^ick found. 
Where * W«x^rs inigbty tnwth b pour'd into the found, 
AJhd towing up hUftream, firft taught the Englifh oars. 
The ufefbl Wiy ot trade to thofe moft gainful ihores. 
\' Aiid wheii th(^ Normiln Stem here flrong and potent 

grew^ 
And thdf iNcdifi* Ibfil did ^orioiis afts purfue, 
One t^iiihoias h4»M of Lyn^ where fiift hebreaiii'd the air, 
ife&jgh Oxfbfd taaght feim art, and well may hold him 

dear; 
rth' mathemati6k» karft'd (akho* a friar profefiM) 
TtV fee thofe northern clings, with great dcfire pofTcft'd^ 
Ilittfelf he thithdr fhip*d^ and flaiful in the gtebc* 
Took every feveral height with his true aftrolobc \ 
The * whirpqote of th6?eas, and came to underftavnd, 
Frohi the four €ard*ttrf i^imls, four indraughts that com- 

mahdi 

Int' 

* The great river of Ruffia. I » The grcatcft wonder of n^« 

* The greOeft «tir of Dntt- Un^ 



SONG THE N'IN:ETEENTH. I0J3 

Inc^ any of whole falls, if th' wandering barque doth light, 

It hurried is away vnth fuch ten)pe(luous flight. 

Into that fwallowing gulph, which feems as it woi|ld 

draw 
The very earth itfctf into th' infernal naaw. 
Four fuch immeafiir'd pools, philofophcrs agree, 
r th* four parts of the world undoubtedly to be i 
From which they have fuppofed, nature the winds doth 

. raife. 
And from them to proceed the flowing of the feas. 

And when our civil wars began at lail to ceafe. 
And thefe late, calmer times of olive-bearing peace. 
Gave leifure to great minds, far regions to defcry ; 
That brave advent*fous knight, pur Sir Hugh Willoughby, 
Ship'd for the northern Teas, 'mongfl: thofe congealed 

piles, 
Fafhion'd by lading frofts, like mountains, and ^ like 

ifles, 
(In all her fearful'ft ihapes iaw horror, whoie great mind. 
In lefler bounds than thefe, that could not be con&i*d $ 
Adventur'd on thgie parts, where winter ftiU doth ke^^ 
When mpft the icy cold had chaia'd up aU the deep) 
In bleak Arzina's road his death near Lapland took^ 
Where Kegpr from her fcite, on thofe grim feas doth k)pfc» 

Two others follow then, eternal fame thai won. 
Our Chancellor, and with him, compare we Jehkin^ i 
For Rullia both embark'd, the UrA arriving there, 
Entring Duina's mouth, up her proud ftream did fleer. 
To Volga, to behold her pomp, the Ruffian ftate, 
Mufcovia meafuring then > the other with like fate. 
Both thofe yaft realms furvey'd, then into BacSfcria pafl:. 
To Boghor's bulwark walls, tl^n to theJiqiud wa^e. 
Where Oxus rolleth down 'twixt his far diftant fhoreSp 
And o'er the Cafpian main, with fbong unrired oars. 
Adventured to view rich Perfia's wealth and pride, 
Whofe true report thereof, the EngUfti fince have tried. 

With Fitch, our Eldred next, dcferv'dly placed is. 
Both travelling to f^e the Syrian Tripolis, 

x*x4 ^ y^ 



1034 POL T-O L B I O N: 

The firft of which (in this whofe noble fpirit was fhown)' 
To view thofe parts, to us that were the moft unknown, 
On thence to Ormus fet, Goa» Cambaya, then. 
To vaft Zelabdim, thence to Echubar, again 
Crols*d Ganges' rpighty ftream, and hib large banks did 

view. 
To Bacola went on, to Bengbla, Pegu ; 
And for Mallaccan then, Zeiten, and Cochin caft, 
Meafuring with many a ftep, the great Eaft-Indian wafte. 
The other from that place, the firft before had gone, 
Determining to fee ehe broad-wallM Babylon, 
Crofs'd Euphrates, and row'd a^nft his mighty ftream \ 
Licia, ^d Gaza few, with great Hierufalem, 
And our dear Saviour's feat, blefsM Bethlem did behold. 
And Jordan, of whofe waves much is in fcripcure told. 
Then Macham, who (through love to long adventures 
led) 
JVladera's wealthy ifles, the firft difcovered, 

' Who having ftole a maid, to whom he was affy'd. 
Yet her rich parents ftill hqr marriage rites deny*d. 
Put with her forth to fea, where many a danger pafsM, 
Upon an ifle of thofe, at length by tempeft caft -, 
^nd putting in, to give his tender love fome cafe, 
jWhich very ill had brookM the rough and boiftrousfeas j 
And lingring for her health, within the quiet bay, 

'The mariners moft falfe, fled with the (hip away. 
When as it was not long, but (he gave up her breath ; 
When he whole tears in vain bew^lM her timelefs death ; 
That their defervcd rites her funeral could not have, 
A homely altar built upon her honoured grave. 
When with his folk but few, not pafling two or three, 
♦ There making them a boat, but rudely of one tree. 
Put forth again to fea, where after many a flaw. 
Such as before themfelves, fcarcc mortal ever faw j 
Nor miferable men cpuld poflibly fuftain, 
J^W fwallowcd with the waves, apd then Ipew'd up a- 
gain; At 

'^" f The wonderful advenmre of Macham. 






SONG THE NINETEENTR 1035 
At length were on the coaft of fun-burnt Afric tlirown, 
r'amaze that further world, and to amufe our own: 

Then Windham who new ways, for us and ours to try. 
For great Morocco made, difcovering Barbary. 

Lock, Towerfon^ Fenner next, vafl Guinea forth that 
Ibughr, 
And of her ivory home in great abundance brought. 

Th* Eaft-indian voy'ger then, the valiant Lancaftcr, 
To Buona Efpcrance, Comara, Zanziber, 
To Nicuba, as he to Gomerpolo wenr. 
Till his ftrong bottom ftruck MoUucco's continent i 
And failing to Brazil another time he took 
01ynda*s chiefcft town, and harbour Farnambuke, 
And with their precious wood, fugar and cotton fraught, 
[tby his iafe return into his country brought. 

Then Forbilhcr, whofe fame flew all the ocean o'er. 
Who to the north'Weft fought huge China's wealthy Ihorc, 
When nearer to the north, that wandering fea-man let. 
Where he in our hot*ft months of June and July met 
With ihow, froit, hail, and fleet, and found ilern winter 

ftrong. 
With mighty ifles of ice, and mountains huge and long. 
Wlere as it comes and goes, the great eternal Light 
Makes half the year ftill day, and half continual nights 
Then for thofe bounds unknown, he bravely fet again. 
As he a fea-god were, familiar with the main. 

The noble Fenton next, and Jackman we prefer. 
Both voyagers, that were with famous Forbi(her. 

And Davies, three times forth that for the north-weft 
made ; 
Still ftriving by that courfe, t'inrich the Englifti trade 5 
And as he well defcrv'd to his eternal tame. 
Inhere by a mighty fea, immortaliz'd his name. 

With noble Gilbert next, comes Hoard who took in 
hand. 
To clear the courfe fc^rce known into the Newfound land, 
f^nd viewM the plenteous feas, and fifliful havens, where 
^neighbouring nations fince have ftor'd them every year. 

Then 



J036 P O LT-O L B IQ N: 

Then globe-cngirdling Drake, the naval palm that won, 
Who ftrove in his long courfe to emulate the fun ; 
Of whom the Spaniard \3sM a prophefy to tell, 
That from the Britifh ifles ftiould rife a dragon fell. 
That with his armed wings, fhould ftriketh* Iberian main, 
And bring in after time much horror upon Spain. 
This more than man (or what) this demi-god at fea. 
Leaving behind his back, the great America, 
Upon the furging main his well-ftrctch'd tacklings flew'd, 
To forty-three degrees of north'ly latitude ; 
Unto that land before to th* Chriftian world unknown, 
Which in his country's right he nairf d New Albion j 
And in the weftern Inde, fpight of the powei; of Spain, 
He faint lago took, Domingo, Carthagene'; 
And leaving of his prowefs, a mark in every bay. 
Saint Auguftinclbrpriz'd, in Terra Florida. 
. Then thofe that forth for fea, induftrious Hawlcigji 

-wrought. 
And them with every thing, fit for difcovery fraught j 
That Amadas, (whofe name doth fcarccly EnglUh found) 
With Barlow, who the firft Virginia thoroughly found. 
AsGrecnvile, whom he got to undertake that fea. 
Three fundry rimes from hence, who touched Virginia. 
(In Ws fo rare a choice, it wefl appfovM his ^fnt •, 
That with fo brave a fpirit, his turn fo well could p:. 
O Greenyile, thy great name for ^ver be renownyi. 
And borne by Neptune (till, about this mighty round ; 
Whofe naval conflift won thy nation ((^ mtidiiame. 
And in th* fberians "bred fear of the En^ifli name. 

Nor fhould fame fpeak her l^d'ft^ of Lane, Ihe jcould 
not lie, 
. Who in Virginia left, ^ithth* EngliQi colony, 
Himfelf fo bravely bare, amongft 6ur people there. 
That him tiiey only lov*d, when Others they did fear. 
And from thofe barbarous, brute, ^nd wild Virj^iaui 

wan 
Such reverence, a$ inhim there Jiad been more ttian man* 



, SONG THE NINETKENTH. 1037 

Thepi ht which feyourod ftill fuch high attempu as 
' tbcfe, 
Rawlclgh, wfaofe readiog made him ikill'd in all the iieas, 
ImbarquM bis worthy fclf, and his adventurous Crew, 
And with a prolperoua fail to thofe iair countries flcw^ 
Where Ckx)noque, as he, on in his courfe doth roll. 
Seems as bisgreacneis meant, grim Neptune to contraul ; 
Like to a puifant king, whofe realms extend fo far, 
That many a potent prince, lus tributaries are. 
So are his branches fcas, and in the rich Guiana, 
A flood as proud as he, the broad-brimM Ordlana : 
And on the fpacious firm Manoa*s mighty feat, 
The knd (by naturc*s power) with wonders cioft rcpie». 

So Leigh, Cape Breton law, and Ramea'sines again 1 
As Thompfon undertook the voyage to New^Spaio : . 
AndHa^ins not behind the beft of thefe before. 
Who hmfting (ail, to feek the moftremoteft fbore. 
Upon that new-nam'd Spain, and Guiney fbuglit his prize. 
As one whofe mighty mind finall things could not fiiffice, 
Tbe (m of this brave fire, who with his furrowing keel. 
Long ere that time had touch'd the goodly fkh Brazil. 

Courageous Ca'ndi(h tfaen, a iecood Nq^ttine here, 
Wbofe imfoe fili'd tvctf mouth, and took up every our. 
What man coukl in hk tknt difcourfe of any ifeas, 
But of brave Ca'ndilli talked, and of his voyages ; 
Who through the fi>uth-feas pa&'d, about this tardily 

baU, • 

And law tjide ftatis, to them that CHily rife and £lU, 
And with Ms filken &ils, ftaxn'd with the ricbeft ore, 
DarM any one to pafs where he bad been before. 

Count Cumbcri^d, fo hence to foek th' Azores fent. 
And totbc Wcftern-Iadics, to Porto Rico went. 
And wirii 4he Einglifh pdwcr it bravely dai furprize. 

Sir Robert Dudley then, by fea that foughttorife, 
Hoift'd fails mith happy winds to tii' ifles of Trinidado: 
Paria then he pa&M, the iflanda of Granado ; 
As thofe of San£ta Cruz, and Porto Rico : then 
Aixi&ng;ft the famous rank ef our fea*fearc^n^ men^ 

Is 



1038 POL r-0 L B I Nz 

Is Prd^n fent to fca, with Summers forth to find. 
Adventures in the parts upon the Weftcrn-Inde ; 
Porto Santo who furpriz'd, and Coches, with the fort 
Of Core, and the town, when in fubmiffive fort, 
Cumana ranfom crav'd, St. James of Leon lack*d ; 
Jamaica went not free, but as the reft they wreck'd. 

ThenSheriey, (iince whofe name fuch high renown 
hath won) 
That voyage undertook, as they before had done : 
He St. lago faw, Domingo, Marg^ita, 
By Terra-firma faird to th* iflands of Jamaica, 
Up Rio Dolce row'd, and with a profpcrous hand, 
Rctummg to his home, touch'd at the New-found-land, 
Where at Jamaica's ifles, courageous Parker met 
With Sherley, and along up Rio Dolce fet. 
Where bidding him adieu, on his own courfe he ran. 
And took Campeche's town, the chief 'ft of Jucatan. 
A frigate, and from thence did home to Britain bring, 
, With moft ftrange tribute fraught, due to that Indian king.' 

At mighty Neptune's beck, thus ended they their fong, 
When as from Harwich all to Loving-land along. 
Great claps and fhouts were heard reibunding to the ihore. 
Wherewith th'Effexian nymplis applaud their loved Stour, 
From the Suffolcean fide yet thofc which Stour prefer 
Their princely Orwell praife, as much as th'othcr her : (. 
For though clear Briton be rich Sufiblk's from her fpringi 
Which Stour upon her way to Harwich down dothbrin^ 
Yet Deben of herfelf a ftout and ftedfaft friend. 
Her fuccour to that fea, nearOrwel's road doth fend. 

When Wauency to the north, rich Suffolk's only meerCi 
As Scour upon the north, from Effex parts this dure j . 
Left Stour and Orwell thus might fteal her nymphs awaf^ 
In Neptune's name commands, that here their force Ihould 

ftay: 
For that herfelf and Yar in honour of the deep. 
Were purpofed a fcaft in Loving-land to keep. 

POIX- 



( 103^ ) 



♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦'♦♦♦♦♦♦♦4^«l^###«0 



POL r-0 L B I O N: 

SONG THE TWENTIETH. 

The Argument. 

The mufe that part of Suffolk Jings^ 
That lyes to Norfolkj and then brings 
The bright Norfolcean^nymphs^ to guefi 
To Loving-land J to Neptune" s feaft ; 
To Ouze the le/s then down fie takes j 
Where Jhe a flight at river makes : 
And thence to Marjb-land jhe defcends^ 
With wbofe free pr4ife this fongfbe ends. 

F Rom Suffolk rofe a found, through theNorfolcean {horc 
That ran itfclf, the like had not been heard before : 
For he that doth of fea the powerful trident wield. 
His Tritons made proclaim, a nymphall to be held 
In honour of himfelf, in Loving-land, where he 
The moft feleded nymphs appointed had to be. 
Thofe feamaids that about his fecret walks do dwell. 
Which tend his mighty herds of whales, and fifhes fell. 
As of the rivers thofe, amongft the meadows rank. 
That play in every ford, and fport on every bank. 
Were fummon'd to be there, on pain of Neptune's hate : 
For he would have ftis feaft, obferv'd with god-like ftatc. 
When thofe Suffolcean floods that fided not with Scour, 
Tbdr' dreams but of themfelves into the ocean pour, 

As 



1040 POL r^O L B 10 N: 

As Or, through all the coaft a flood of wond'rous fame, 
Whofe honoured fall begets a * haven of her name. 
And Biyth a dainty brook, their fpeedy courfe do caft. 
For Neptune with the reft, to Loving-land to hafte : 
When Wauency in her way, on this Septentrial fide. 
That thefe two eaftern fhii es doth equally divide. 
From Laphamford leads on, her ftream into the eaft, 
By Bungey, then along by Beckles, when poflfeft 
Of Loving-land, *bout which her limber arms Ihe throws, 
With Neptune taking hands, betwixt them who inclofc. 
And her an ifland make, fam'd for her fcite fo far. 
But leave her mufe a while, and let us on with Yar, 
Which Gariena fome, fome Hier, fome Yar do name 5 
Who rifmg from her ipring not far from Walfingham, 
Through the Norfolcean fields feems wantonly to play. 
To Norwich comes at length, towards Yarmouth on her 

way. 
Where Wentfum from the (buth, and Baridcn do bear 
Up with her, by whofe wealth flie much is honoured there, 
To entertain her Yar, that in her ftate doth ftand. 
With towns of high'ft account the fourth of all the land : 
That hofpitable place to the induftrious Dutch, 
Whofe Ikill in making ftuffs, and workmanfliip is fuch, 
(For refuge hither come) as they our aid deferve. 
By labour fore that live, whilft oft the Englifti ftarve ; 
On roots and pulfe that feed, on beef and mutton fpare. 
So frugally they live, not gluttons as we arc. 

But from my former theme, fince thus I have digre&M 
rU borrow more of time, until my nymphs be drefs'd : 
And fince thefe floods fall out fo fitly in my way, 
A litde while to them I will convert my lay. 

The colewort, colliflower, and cabbage in their ieafon^ 
The rouncefall, great beans, and eavly ripening peafon i 
The onion, fcalUon, leek, which houfewives highly rate ^ 
Their klnfman garlick then, the poor man's Mithridate ^ 
The favoury parfnip next, and cafrot pleafing food -, 
The fkirret -'which fome fay) in fallads ftirs the blood ; 

Hie 
! Orford-havcn. 



SONG *HE TWENTIETH. 1041 

rhc turmp, taftiog well to clowns in winter weather: 
Thus in our vcrfe we put, roots, herbs and fruits together. 
The great moift pumpion then, that on the ground doth lie, 
fV purer of this lund, the fweet mu(k-mellon by ; 
Which dainty palates now, becaufe they would not want. 
Have kindly learnt to fet, as yearly to tranfplant : 
The radifli fomewhat hot, yet urine doth provoke j 
The cucumber as cold, the heating artichoke ; 
The citrons, which our foil not eas'ly doth afford i 
The rampion rare as that, the hardly gotten gourd. 

But in thefc trivial things, mufe, wander not too long. 
But now to nimble Yar, turn we our adtive fong. 
Which in her winding courfe, from Norwich to the m^n. 
By many a (lately feat lafcivioufly doth drain. 
To Yarmouth till Ihe come, her only chriftned town, 
Whofe fifliing thro' the realm doth her fo much renown. 
Where thofe that with their nets ftill haunt theboundlefs lake. 
Her fuch a fumptuous feaft of ialted herrings make. 
As they had robb'd the fea of all his former ftore, * 
And paft that very hour, it could produce no more. 

Her own felves harbour here, when Yar dah hardly win. 
But kindly fhe again, faluted is by Thrin, 
A fair Norfolcean nymph, which gratifies her fall. 

Now are the Tritons heard, to Loving-land to call, 
WhichNeptune's great commands, before them bravdy 

bear. 
Commanding all the nymphs of high account that were. 
Which in fat Holland lurk among the queachy plalhes. 
Or play them on the lands, upon the foamy waihes. 
As all the wat'ry brood, which haunt the German deeps. 
Upon whofe briny curls, the dewy morning weeps. 
To Loving-land to come, and in their bed attires. 
That meeting to obferve, as now the time requires. 

When Erbc, Neptune's ion by Venus, to the fliore 
To fee them ikfely brought, their herakl came before. 
And for a mace he held in his huge hand, the horn 
Of that fo-much-efteem*d, fca-honouring unicorn. 

Next 



1042 p L r^o L B to dn 

Next ^ Proto wondVous fwift, led all the reft the way, 
Then fhe which makes the calms, the mild ^ Cymodice, 
With god-like ^ Dorida, and ^ Galatea fair, 
With dainty nets of pearl, caft o'er theii braided hair : 
^ Analiis which the fea doth fair, and feafoned keep ; 
And "Batiieas, moftfuprcme and fovereign in the deep, 
Brings ^ Cyane, to the waves which that green colour gives; 
Then ''At mis, which in fogs and mifly vapours lives : 
^ Phrinax, the billows rough, and furges that beftrides, 
And ^ Rothion, that by her on the wild waters rides ; 
With ^ Icthias, that of frye the keeping doth retain. 
As ^'Pholoe, moft that rules the monfters of the main : 
Which brought to bear them out, if any need fhould fall, 
The Dolphin, Sea-horfe, Gramp, the Wherlpoole, and the 

Whale. 
An hundred more befides, I readily could name. 
With thefe as Neptune will'd, to Loving-land that came. 

Thefe nymphs trick'd up in tyers,, the fea-gcds to delight: 
Of coral of each kind, the black, the red, the white ; 
With (nany fundry fhells, the fcallop large and fiwr j 
The cockle fmall and round, the periwinkle fpare. 
The oyfter, wherein oft the pearl is found to breed. 
The muffel, which retains that dainty orient feed : 
In chains and bracelets made, with links of fundry twifts. 
Some worn about their waifts, their necks, fomeonthewrifts. 
Great ftore of amber there, and jet they did not mifs •, 
Their lips they fweet'ned had with coftly ambergreafe. I 

Scarcely the Nereids thus arrived from the feas. 
But from the frelher ftreams the brighter Naides, 
To Loving-land make hafte with all the fpeed they may, 
For fear their fellow-nymphs-ftiould for their coming ftay. 
Glico the running ftreams in fweetnefs ftill that keeps. 
And Clymene which rules, when they furround their deeps. 
Spio, in hollow banks, the waters that doth hide : 
WirhOpis that doth bear them backward with the tide. 

Semaia 

k The virtual properties incident I fpns of nymphs, as hath becii tfsM 
to waters, as well feas, as rivers, ex- I by the ancients. 
prelTcd by their names in the |)er<- [ 



\ 



SONG THE TWENTIETH. 1043 

Semaia that for fights doth keep the Water clear : 
Zanthe their yellow fands, that maketh to appear. 
Then Drymo for the oaks that fhadow every bank, 
Phylodice, the boughs for garlands freih and rank. 
Which the clear Naides make them Anadems withal. 
When they are call'd to dance in Neptune's mighty hall. 
ThenLigea, which maintains the birds harmonious lays. 
Which fing on rivars banks amongft the flender fprays. 
With Rhodia, which for them doth nurfe the rofeat fcts, 
loida, which preferves the azure violets. 
Anthea, of the flowers, that hath the general charge. 
And Syrinx of the reeds, that grow upon the marge. 
Some of thefe lovely nymphs wore on their flaxen hair 
Fine chaplets made of flags, that fully flower'd were : 
With water-cans again, fome wantonly them dight, 
Whofe larger leaf and flower, gave wonderful delight 
To thofe that wiflily viewM their beauties : fome again. 
That fovereign places held among the wat'ry train. 
Of cat-tails made them crowns, which from the fedge doth 

grow. 
Which neatly woven were, and fome to grace the fhow. 
Of lady-fmocks mofl: white, do rob each neighbouring mead. 
Wherewith their loofer locks moft curioufly they braid. 

Now thus together come, they friendly do devife. 
Some of light toys, and fome of matters grave and wife. 
But to break off their fpeech, her reed when Syrinx founds. 
Some cafl: themfelves in rings, and fell to hornpipe rounds : 
They ceafmg, as again to others turns it falls, 
Thelufty galiards tread, fome others jiggs, and braules. 
This done, upon the bank together being fet. 
Proceeding in the caufe, for wliich they thus .were met. 
In mighty Neptune's praife., thcfe fea-born virgins fing : 

* Let earth, and air, fay they, with the high praifesring, 

* Of Saturn by hisOps, the moft renowned fon, 

* From all the gods but Jove, the diadem that won, 

* Whofe off-fpring wife and ftrong, dear nymphs, let ui 

relate, 

* On mountains of vaft waves, know he that fits in ftate, 

Yyy tAni 



1044 POL T-O L B 10 N: 

And with his trident rules the univdrfal ftream. 
To be the only fire of mighty Polypheme. 
On fair Thoofa got old Phorcus loved cluld. 
Who in a feigned Ihape that god of fea beguird. 
Three thoufand princely fons, and lovely nymphs as wc, 
Were to great Neptune born, of which we fparing be : 
Some by his goodly queen, fome in his lemmans bed ; 
Chryafor grim begot, on fternMedufa's head. 
Swart Brontes, for his own fo mighty Neptune takes. 
One of the Cyclops ftrong, Jove's thunder-bolts that makes. 
Great Neptune, Nelius got (if you for wifdom feek) 
Who was old Neftor's fire, the grav'ft and wifeft Greek. 
Or fi-om this king of waves, of fuch thou lov'ft to hear. 
Of famous nations firft, that mighty founders were ; 
Then Cadmus, who the plot of ancient Thebes contrived, 
From Neptune god of fea, his pedigree deriv*d. 
By Agenor his old fire, who rul'd Phoenicia long: 
So Inachus, the chief of Argives great and ftrong 
ClaimM kindred of this king,and by fome beauteous nckc. 
So did Pelafgus too, who peopled ancient Greece. 
A world of mighty kings and princes I could name. 
From our god Neptune fprung ^ let this fufHce, his fame 
Incompaffeth the world -, thofe ftars which never life^ 
Above the lower fouth, are never from his eyes : 
As thole again to him do every day appear, 
vConrinually that keep the northern hemifphere ; 
Who Uke a mighty king, doth caft his watched robe. 
Far wider than the land, quite round about the globe. 
Where is there one to him that may compared be. 
That both the poles at once continually doth fee ; 
And giant-like with heaven as often maketh wars ; 
The iflands in his power as numberlcfs as fears. 
He wAlheth at his will, and with his mighty hands. 
He makes the even fhores, oft mountainous with fands : 
Whofe creatures, which obferve his wide imperial fear. 
Like his immeafured felf, are infinite and great/ 
Thus ended they their fong, and off th'aflfembly brake, 
When quickly towardsthe weft, the mufeherway doth takcj j 

Whcrf i 



SONG THE TWENTIETH. 1045 

Whereas the fwelling foil, as from one bank doth bring 
Thii * Waueney fung before and *Oufe-tEe-lefs, whofe fpring 
Towards Oufe-the-greater points^ and down by Thetford 

glides^ 
Where (he clear Thet receives, her glory that divides. 
With her new-named town, as wondrous glad that fhe,' 
l^or frequency of late^ fo much eftecm'd fliould be : 
Where fince thefe confluent floods, fo fit for hawkbg lie,' 
And flore of fowl entice (kill*d falconers there to flie. 
Now of a flight at Brooke fhall my defcription be : 
What fubjedt can be found, that lies not fair for rric. 
Of fimple fhepherds now, my mufe exadly fings. 
And then of courtly loves, and the affairs of kings. 
Then in a bufkin'd fl:rain, the warlike fpear and ihield^ 
And inflantly again of the difports of field j 
What can this ifle produce, that lies from my report^ 
Induftrious mufcj proceed then to my hawking fport. 
When makingfor the brook, the falconer doth elpy^ 
One river, plafh, or mere, where flore of fowl doth Ji^ 
Whence forced over land^ by Ikilful falconer*e trade^ 
A fair convenient flight, may eafily be made. 
He whiftleth ofi^ his hawks, whofe nimble pinions flrcight^ 
Do work themfelves by turns, into a fl:atcly height : 
And if that after check, the one or both do go^ 
Sometimes he them the lure ^ fometimes doth water fliew i 
The trembling fowl that hear the jigging hawk-belis riiig. 
And find it is too late, to truft them to their wing. 
Lie flat Upon the flood, whilfl: the high-mounted hawks. 
Then being lords alone, in their etherial walks. 
Aloft fo bravely ftir, their bells fo thick that Ihakc, 
Which when the falconer fees, that fcarcc one plane they make; 
The gallant* fl: birds^ faid he, that ever flew on wing, 
And fwears there is a flighty were worthy of a king. 

Then making to the flood, to force the fowls to rifr. 
The fierce and eager hawks, down thrilling from thefkics,' 

Y y y 2 Make 

^ The fbtmtains of thefe rivers^ not far afondeo yct one running 
Mrthward, the other to the eaft^ 



1046 POL r^O L B I O iSf: 

Make fundry canccleers e'er they the fowl can reach, 
"Which then to fave their lives, their wings do lively ftretcL 
but when the whizzing bells the filent air do cleave. 
And that their greateft fpeed, them vainly do deceive ; 
And the fliarp cruel hawks, they at their backs do view, . 
Themfelves for very fear they inftantly " ineaw. 

The' hawks get up again into their former place. 
And ranging hqre and there, in that their airy race ; 
Still as the fearful fowl attempt to Tcape away, 
"With many a ftouping brave, them in again they lay. 
But when the falconers take their hawking-poles in handi 
And crofling of the brook, do put it over land ; 
The hawk gives it a foufe, that makes it to rebound. 
Well near the height of man, fometimes above the ground*, 
Oft takes a leg, or wing, oft takes away the head. 
And oft from neck to tail, the back in two doth fhread* 
With many a wo ho ho, and jocond lure again. 
When he his quarry makes upon the grafly plane. 

But to my floods again -, when as this Oufe-the-lefi, 
Hath taken in clear Thet, with far more free accefs. 
To Oufe-the- great flie goes, her queen that cometh crown'd, 
As fuch a river (its, fo many miles *renown'd ; 
And pointing to the north, her chriftal front (he dafties, ; 
Againft the fwelling fands of the furrounded wafties ; 
And Neptune in her arms, fo amply doth embrace. 
As fhe would rob his queen, fair Thetis, of her place. 
Which when rich Marfli-land fees, left fhe (hould lofc 

her ftate. 
With that fair river thus, fhe gently doth debate. 

' Difdain me not, dear flood, in thy exceflive pride, 

* There's fcarcely any foil that fitteth by thy fide, 

* Whofe turf fo batful is, or bears fo deep a fwath j 

* Nor is there any Marfli in all Great Britain, hath 

* So many goodly feats, or that can truly fliew, 

* Such rareties as I, fo that all Marfties owe 

* Much honour to my name, for that exceeding grace, 
t Which they receive by me, fo fovereign in my place. 

'Though 
^ lay the fowls again ia water; 



SONG THE TWENTIETH. 1047 

* Though Rumney, as fbme fay, forfinencfs of her graft, 

* And for her dainty fcite, all others doth furpafs ; 

* Yet are thofe feas but poor, and rivers that confine, 

* Her greatnefs but mean rills, be they compared with 

mine. 

* Nor hardly doth flie tythe th* abundant fowl and fifh, 

* Which nature gives to me, as I myfclf can wilh. 

* As Amphitrite oft, calls me her fweet and fair, 

* And fends the northern winds to curl my braided hair, 

* And makes the Walhes (land, to watch and ward me ftill, 

* Left that rough god of fea, op me fhould work his will. 

* Old Wilbitch to my grace, my circuit fits within, 

* And near my banks 1 have the neighbourhood of Lynn. 

* Both towns of ftrength and ftate, my profits ftill fhall 

vent, 

* NoMarfhhath more of fea, none more of continent.' 
Thus Marfh-land ends her Ipeech, as one that thoroughly 

knew. 
What was her proper praife, and what was Oufe*s due. 

With that the zealous mufe, in her poetic rage. 
To Walfingham would needs have gone a pilgrimage. 
To view thofe fartheft fhores, whence little Niger flows. 
Into the northern main, and fee the glebe where grows. 
Chat &firon (which men fay) this land hath not the like^] 
All Europe that excels ; but here fhe fail doth ftrike. 
For that Apollo phickM her eafily by the ear 5 
And told her in that part of Norfolk, if there were 
Ought 'worthy of relpeft, it was not in her way. 
When for the greater Oufe, her wing (he doth di^Iay, 



Yyys PQLTz 



( 1048 ) 
POL r-O L B 10 Nf 

,SONG THE TWENTY-FIRST. 

The Argument. 
Ifow from New-market comes the mufe^ 
fVhofe fpacious heathy Jhe wiftly views ^ 
Tbofe ancient ditches ahdfurveysy 
JVhicb our fir jt Saxons here did raiff ; 
To Gogmagog then turns her taU^ 
Andjhewsyou Ring-taiF s pleafant vale'. 
And to do Cambri^e all her rites ^ 
The mufes to her town invites. 
Andlaftly^ Elf s praife jhe Jings^^ 
An end which to this canto brings. 

BY this our little reft, thus having gotten breath. 
And fairly in our way, upon New-market-heath \ 
Tliat great and antient * ditch, which us expeftcd long, 
Infpired by the mufe, at her arrival fong ; 

• O time, what earthly thing with thee itfelf c^n truft, 

• When thou in thine own courfe art to thy felf unjuft ! 

• Doft thou contraft with death, and to oblivion give 

• Thy glories, after them, yet (hamefully dar*ft live ? 

• Otime, had'ft thou preferv'd, what labouring man hath 

done, 

• Thou long before this day, might*fttpthy felf have won 

• A deity with the gods, and in thy temple plac'd, 

\ But facrilegious thou, haft all great works dcfac'd ; 

•for 

« The devil*! ditch. 



i 



SONG THE TWENTY-FIRST. 1049 

* For though the things themfelves havcfuffer'dbythy theft, 

* Yet with thy ruins, thou, to ages might'ft have left, 

* Thofe monunnients who rear'd, and not have fufFer'd thus 

* Pofterity fo much, t* abufe both thee and us. 

* I, by th* Eaft Angles firft, who from this heath arofe, 

* The long'ft and largeft ditch, to check their Mercian 

foes ; 

* Becaufe my depth, and breadth, fo ftrangely dpth exceed, 

* Men's low and wr^ched thoughts, they conftantly de- 

creed, 

* That by the devil's help, I needs mufl: raifed be, 

* Wherefore the Devil's-ditch they bafely named me 5 

* When ages long before, I bare faint Edmond's name, 

* Becaufe up to my fide, (fome have fuppofed) came 

* The fiberties bequeathed to his moft facred fhrine. 

' Therefore my fellow Dykes, ye antient friends of mine, 

* That Qut of earth were rais*d, by men whofe minds 

were great, 
^ It is no marvel, though oblivion do you treat. 
^ Firfl, Flemditch next myfelf, that art of greateft flrength, 
^ That do'fl extend thy courfe full feven large miles in 

length; 
^ And thou the Flvcmilc caird, yet not lefs dear to me, 
' With Brenditch, that again is fhortefl of the three, 

* Can you fuppofc yourfelves at all to be refpefted, 

' When you may fee my truth's bely'd, and fo negledled ; 
' Therefore dear Heath, live flillin profperous cflate, 
' And let thy well-ficcc'd flocks, from morn to evening late, 
' (By careful fhepherds kept) rejoice thee with their praife. 
And let the merry lark, with her delicious lays. 
Give comfort to thy plains, and let mc only lie, 
(Though of the world contemned) yet gracious in thine 

eye.' 
Thus faid, thefe antient Dykes neglefted in their ground. 
Through the fad aged earth, fent out a hollow found. 
To gtatulate her fpeech ; when as we met again, 
Wit)\ one whofe conflant heart, with cruel love was flain ; 

Yyy4 Old 



1050 POL T-O L B I N: 

Old Gogmagog, a hill of long and great renown. 
Which near to Cambridge fet, o*cr-looks that learn*d town. 
Of Balfham's pleafant hills, that by the name was known, 
But with the monftrous times, he rude and barbarous 

' grown, 
A giant was become ; for man he cared not, 
And fo the fearful name of Gogmagog had got : 
Who long had born good-will to mod delicious Grant, 
But doubting left fome god his greatnefs might fupplant. 
For as that dainty flood by Cambridge keeps her courfe. 
He found the mufes left their old Boeotian fource j 
Reforting to her banks, and every little fpace, 
He faw bright Phoebus gaze upon her chryftal face. 
And through th* exhaled fogs, with anger looked red. 
To leave his loved nymph, when he went down to bed. 
Wherefore this hill with love, being fouly overgone •, 
And one day as he found the lovely nymph alone. 
Thus wooes her ; ' Sweeting mine, if thou mine own wik 
be, 

* Pve many a pretty gaud, I keep in ftore for thee, 

* A ncft of broad-fac'd owls, and goodly urchins too. 
Nay, nymph take heed of me, when I begin to wooe : 

* And better yet than this, a bulchin two years old, 
A curld-pate calf it is, and oft could have been fold : 
And yet befide all this, I've goodly bear-whelps twa, 

* Full dainty for my joy, when fhe's difpos^ to play. 
And twenty fowes of lead, to make our wedding ring ; 
Befides, at Sturbridge Fair, Til buy thee many a thing: 
rU fmouch thee every morn, before the fun can rife, 

* And look my manly face, in thy fweet glaring eyes,* 
Thus faid, he fmug*d his beard, and ftroked up his 

hair. 
As one that for her love he thought had offered fair : 
Which to the mufes. Grant did prefendy report. 
Wherewith they many a year fhall make them wond'rous 
fport. 
When Ringdale in her felf, a moft delicious dale. 
Who having heard too long the barbarous mountain's tale. 

Thus 



SONG THE TWENTY-FIRST, josi 

Thus thinketh in herfelf, * Shall I be filenc'd, when 

* Rude hills and ditches, digg'd by difcontented men, 

^ Are aided by the mufe ; their minds at large to fpeak, 

* Befides my fitter vales fuppofing me but weak, 

* Judge meanly of my ftate, when ftie no longer ftaid, 

* But in her own behalf, thus to the other faid. 

• What though betwixt two ** (hires, I be by fortune 
thrown, 

* That neither of them both can challenge me her own ; 

* Yet am I not the lefs, nor lefs my fame fhall be ; 

* Your figures are but bafe, when they are fet by me : 

* For nature in yourfliapes, notorioufly did err, 

* But (kilful was in me, caft pure orbicular. 

* Nor can I be compared fo like to any thing, 

* By him that would exprefs my fliape, as to a ring : 

* For nature bent to fport, and various in her trade, 
^ Of all the Britifh vales, of me a circle made: 

' For in my very midft:, there is a fwelling ground. 
^ About which Ceres nymphs dance many a wanton round* 
^ The friflcing fairy there, as on the light air borne, 
^ Oft run at barley-break upon the ears of corn ; 

* And catching drops of dew in their lafcivious chaces, 
' Do caft the liquid pearl in one another's faces. 

' What they in largenefs have, that bear themfelves fo 

high, 
' In my moft perfeft form, and delicacy, I, 
' For greatnefs of my grain, and finenefs of my grafs ; 
This ifle fcarce hath a vale, that Ringdale doth furpafs.' 
When more flie would have faid, but fuddenly there 
fprung, 
I confident report, that through the country rung. 
That Cain her daintieft flood, long fince entided Grant, 
Vhofe fountain Afliwell crown'd, with many an upright 

plant. 
n Tallying on for Oufe, determined by the way, 
"o entertain her friends the mufes with a lay. 

Wherc- 

* This vale ftandeth part in Hertfordlhirc, part in Caxnbridgpflww. 



1052 P O L r^O L B 10 N: 

Wherefore to (hew herfcif ere (he to Cambridge came, 
Moft worthy of that town to which fhe gives the name. 
Takes in her fecond head, from Linton coming in. 
By Shelfordha^g (Ud, which ftraightway fhe doth win : 
Than which, a purer ftream, a delicater brook. 
Bright Phoebus in his courfe, doth fcarcely overlook. 
Thus furnilhing her banks ; as fweetly fhe doth glide 
Towards Cambridge, with rich meads laid forth on either 

fide ; 
And with the mufes oft, did by the way converfe : 
Wherefore it her behoves, that fomething (he rehearfe. 
The fillers that concerned, who whifper*d in her ear. 
Such things as only (he, and they themfelves fhould hear, 
A wond^rous learned flood ; and fhe that had been long, 
(Though filent, in herfelf, yet) vexed at the wrongs 
t)one to Apollo's priefts, with heavenly fire infus'd. 
Oft by the worthlefs world, unworthily abus'd : 
With whom, in their behalf, hap ill, or happen well. 
She meant to have a bout, even in defpight of hell. 
When humbly lowting low, her due obedience done. 
Thus like a Satyr fhe, deliberately begun. 

* My inveftive, thus quoth fhe, I only aim at you» 
« (Of what degree fo'er) ye wretched worldly crew, 

* In all your brainlcfs talk, that ftill dire£t your drifts 
^ Againft the mufes fons, and their moft facred gifts, 

* That hate a poet*s name, your vilfenefs to advance, 

* For ever be you damn'd in your dull ignorance. 

* Slave, he whom thou doft think, fo mean and poor to 

be, 

< Is more than half divine, when he is fet by thee. 
« Nay more, I will avow, andjuftify him then, 

< He is a god, compared with ordinary men. 

* His brave and noble heart, here in a heaven doth dwell, 

< Above thofe worldly cares, that finks fuch fots to hell •, 

* A caitif if there be yet viler than thy felf, 

* If he through bafcnefs light upon this worldly pelf, 

* The chimney-fweep, or he that in the dead of night, 

* Doth empty loathfome vaults, nay purchafe all your right ; 



BONO THE TWENTY. FIRST. 1053 

When not the greateft king, (hould he his treafure rain. 
The mufes Ikcred gifts, can pollibly obtain ; 
No, w^ the monarch of the univcrial earth. 
Except that gift firom heaven, be breathM into his birth« 

I Mow cninlitory be thofe heaps of rotting mud, 

' Which only to obt^, ye make your chiefeft good ? 

' Perhips to your fond fons, your ill-gpt goods you ieavct 

^ Yon fc^cely buried are, but they your hopes deceive. 

' Have I not known a wretch, the purchafe of whole 
ground, 

^ Was valued to be fold, at threefcore thoufand pound ; 

• Th4C in a litde time, in a poor thread-bare coat. 
Hath walkM firom place to place, to beg a filly groat! 

When notlung hath of yours, or your bafe broods been lef^. 
Except poor widows cries, to memorize your theft. 
That ci^rfe the ferpent got in paradife for hire, 
Peicend upon you all, from him yourdevilifh fire. 
Groveling upon the earth, to creep upon your bread:, 

' And lick the loathlbme duft, like that abhorred beafl:. 
* But leave xhtk hateful herds, and let me now declare, 
V th* HeUconian fount, who righdy chrift'ned are ; 
Not fuch as bafely footh the humour of the time. 
And flubberingly patch up fome flight and (hallow rhyme. 
Upon PamafTus' top, that ftrive to be inftall'd. 
Yet never to that place were by the mufes call'd. 
Nor yet our mimic apes, out of their bragging pride. 
That fain would feem to be, what nature them deny'd ; 
Whofe verfes hobling run, as with disjointed bones. 
And make a viler noife, than carts upon the flones; 
And thefe forfooth muft be, the mufes only heirs, 
When they but baftards are, and foundlings none of theirs, 
Inforcing things in verfe for poetry unfit. 
Mere filthy fhiff, that breaks out of the fores of wit ; 
What poet recks the praife upon fuch anticks heap'd. 
Or envies that their lines, in cabinets are kept ? 
Though fome fantaflick fool promove their ragged 

rhymes. 
And do tranfcribe them o'er a hundred fcveral times, 

*And 



1054 POL r-0 LB 10 N: 

* And fome fond women wins, to think them wond'rous 

rare. 
When they lewd beggary trafli, nay very gibb'rifh are. 
Give me thofe lines (whofe touch the (kilful ear to pleaie) 
That gliding flow in ftate, like fwelling Euphrates, 
In which things natural be, and not in falfely wrong ; • 
The founds are fine and fmooth, the fenfe is full and 

ftrong; 
Not bombailed with words, v^n ricklifli ears to feed. 
But fuch as may content the perfeft man to read. 
What is of painters laid, is of true poets rife. 
That he which doth exprels things neareft to the life. 
Doth touch the very point, nor needs he add thereto. 
For that the utmoft is, that art doth ftrive to do. 
* Had Orpheus, whofe fweet harp (fb niufically ftrung) 
Inticed trees, and rocks, to follow him along j 
Th' morality of which, is that his knowledge drew. 
The ftony, blockifti rout, that nought but rudenefs knew, 
T' embrace a civil life, by his enticing lays. 
Had he composed his lines, like many of thefe days. 
Which to be underftood, do take it in difdain. 
Nay Oedipus may fail, to know what they would mean. 
If Orpheus had fo play'd, not to be underilood. 
Well might thofe men have thought the harper had been 

wood ; 
Who might have fit him down, the trees and rocks 



among. 



And been a verier block than thofe to whom he lung. 
* O noble Cambridge then, my moft beloved town. 
In glory flourifh ftill, to heighten thy renown ; 
In woman* sperfeft fliape, ftill be thy emblem right, 
Whofe one hand holds a cup, the other bears a light. 
Phocis bedew'd with drops, that from Parnaflus fall. 
Let Cirrha feek to her, nor be you leaft of all. 
Ye fair Boeotian Thebes, and Thefpia ftill to pay 
My Cambridge all her rites ; Cirrhea fend this way. 
O let the thrice-three maids, their dews upon thee rain. 
From Aganippa's fount, and hoof-plow'd Hippocranc^ 

* Mount 



SONG THfe TWENTY-FIRST^ 1O55 

* Mount Pindus, thou that art the mufes facred place 

* In Theflaly ; and thou, O Pimpla, that in Thrace 

* They chofe for their own hill, then thou Parnafliis high,' 
•Upon whofe by-clift top, the facred company 

* About Apollo fit ; and thou, O flood, with thefc 
f Pure Helicon, belov*d of the Pieridcs. 

* WithTempe, let thy walks, and (hades, be brought to her, 

* And all your glorious gifts upon my town confer/ 

This (aid, the lovely Grant glides easily on along. 
To meet the mighty'Oufe, which with her watry throng. 
The Cantabrigian fields had entered, taking in 
Th' in-ifled Ely's earth, which ftrongly (he doth win 
FromGrant's foft-neighbouring grounds, when as the fruit- 
ful ifle. 
Much wbndering at herfelf, thought furely all this while. 
That by her filence (he had fufFered too much wrong, 
Wherefore in her felf-praife, lo thus the ifland fung. 
* Of all the Marlhland ifles, 1 Ely am the Queen, 
For winter each where fad, in me looks fre(h and green*' 
The horfe, or other beaft, o*erweigh'd with his own mafs. 
Lies wallowing in my fens, hid over head in grafs ; 
And in the place where grows rank fodder for my neat. 
The turf which bears the hay, is wond'rous needful peat: 
My full and batning earth, needs not the plowman's pains. 
The rills which run in me, are like the branched veins 
In human bodies fecn ; thofe ditches cut by hand. 
From the furrounding Meres, to win the meafur'd land. 
To thofe choice waters, I moft fitly may compare. 
Wherewith nice women ufe to blanch their beauties rare. 
Hath there a man been born in me, that never knew 
Of Waterfey the Lame, or th* other call'd the New. 
The Frithdike near'ft my midfl:, and of another fort. 
Whoever fifh'd, or fowl'd, that cannot make report 
Of fundry Meres at hand, upon my weftern way. 
As Ramfey-mcre, and Ug, with the great Whittelfey 5 
Of the abundant ftore of filh and fowl that bred. 
Which whilft of Europe's ifles Great Britain is the head. 

*No 



ioc8 P L r-0 L B i O N: 

Oufe having Ouleney paft, as (he were waxed mad, 
From her firft ftayder courfe immediately doth gad ; 
And in mcandred gyres doth whirl herfelf about. 
That, this way, here and there, back, forward, in, and 

out. 
And like a wanton girl, oft doubling in hfer gate. 
In labyrinth-like turns, and twinings intricate. 
Through thofe rich fields doth run, till laftly in her pride, 
The (hire's hofpitious town, (he in her courfe divide. 
Where (he her (pacious breaft in glorious breadth difplayi 
And varying her clear form a thoufand fundry ways, 
Streaks through the verdant meads ; but far (he hath ooC 

gone. 
When Ivel a clear nymph from ShefFord fallying on. 
Comes deftly dancing in through many a dainty (lade, 
Crown'd with a goodly bridge, arrived at Bicklefwadc, 
Encouraged the more her miftrefs to purfue. 
In whofe clear face the fun delights himfelf to view : 
To mix her felf with Oufe, as on (he thus doth make^ 
And lovingly at laft hath hapt to overtake ; 
She in her chryftal arms her fovereign Oufe doth clings 
Which flood in her ally, as highly glorying. 
Shoots forward to St. Neot's, into tho(e nether grounds, 
Towards Huntingdon, and leaves the iov*d Bedfordian 

bounds. 
Scarce is (he entred yet upon this fecond (hire. 
Of which (he fovereign is, but that two fountains clear. 
At Harlwefton near hand, th*one fait, the other fweet, 
At her firft entrance, thus her greatnefs gently greet. 
* Once were we two fair nymphs, who fortunately prov'd, 

* The pleafures of the woods, and faithfully belov'd 

<^ Of two fuch Sylvan gods, by hap that found us here^ 

* For then their Sylvan kind moft highly honoured were, 
« When this whole country's face was forefty, and we 

* Liv*d loofely in the weilds, which now thus peopled be. 

* Oft interchanged we fighs, oft amorous looks we lent, 

* Oft whifpering our dear loves,our thoughts oft did we vent 

' AmoDgft 



«6N0 m tWENtt.gECOND.io59 

* Attiongft fhc /ecrec fhades, oft in the groves did play^ 

* And in oqf ((xirtt our joys^ and fbrrdws did bewrny; 
^ Oft cunmi:gly w€ met, ytit coyly then imbt;lc'di 

* Sdll UngMUJl d in defirq yet iiv'd we eVer chad:. 

* And quoth t)xt ialti^ fpring^ as one ddy mine aiid U 
^ $et to recount our hvts, ftom his more t^cr eye ■ 

^ The brihifh te^ft dropM down^ on mine iiimierixd bita^i 

* Anditiftantiy therein fb deeply were ixtiprefti 

^ That bradfiih I becam^p : he finding riit deprived 
^ Of former fre4iAe& quite^ the caufefrom him derhr^d; 
^ On me heftow'd this ^^ ^y fweetnefs to roqpife^ 
^ T>U I fbould ever cure.tbie dirxmeft of the fi^ 
^And^ quoth the frdher ipring, the wood-god the thai 
woo*d, 

* As one day by my brlmf furpH^'d with loVc lie ftood^ 
< On me bcftow'd this ^t^ that eVer after I 

^ Should cure the painful itch, and lothibme itpttfy/ 

Held on with this difcourfe, (he oti iioc far hath rua^ 
But that ihe is arriv'd at goodljT Huntingdon i 
Where (he no ibonft views her darling apd deligbtf 
Proud 'Pprtholme, but became h ravifb'd with theSlght^ 
Ttiat (he ber limber arms lafcivioufly doth throw 
^IxWt thd Iflet- s wafte, who being imbraqed bi 
Her flowty bofpm (hews to the iniamoUr^d brook t 
On which wheii as this Oufe ama^edly dOth look 
pn her brave damask'd breads bedeck'd wkh many a fib^^i 
(That grace this godly mead) as though the iprihg did pour 
Her ill II abundance down, whofe various dyes to thidc^ 
A.re intermix'd as they by one another jQkk| 
That to the gazing eye that (bndeth far^ they ibtivi 
Like tho(e made by the fun in the ceieftial bgiw. 
But now t'advance this floods the fates had brought to palSi 
As file of all the reft the only river was: 
'That but a little while before that fatal wtf^ 
'iwisot that divided blood of York and Lancafter^ 
Nar Harkfwood^ above in her Bedfordtan trate^ 
By keeping back her ftteam^ for near three fiw longs ^pHUti 
. Zzt lJy]i% 

•Alitde ifland madabytfui i^cr^ iy^| se«r Hiuktin|^. 



fc6o POL r-0 L B 10 N: 

Laying her boforn bare unto the publick view j 
Apparently was prov'd by that whkh did enfue^' 
In her prophetick felf, thofe troubles to forcfec: 
Wherefore (tf^en as her due) the deftinies agree. 
She ft^ald the glory have our civil fights to ling. 
When fwcllihg in her banks, from her abundant fpring^ 
^'Hbr-ieber filence flie now refolutely breaks. 
In language fitting war, and thus to purppfe (peaks. 

* With that mbft fatd field, I will tiot 'here begin, 
^vWhereNortnan Williain firft the Conqueror, did win 

* The day at ^* Haftings, where the valiant Harold to, 

* Refign'd his crown, whbfe foil the colour doth retain,* ' 

• ^«' Of rh'Engiifh bkkxi dicre flied, as th'earth ftiU kept die ' 
(car : 
^ Which (irifce not bur's begot, but an invafive war, 

* Amongft our honie-fought fields, hath no defcripdon here 

* In Normandy nor that, that fame day forty year, 

* That baflat-d William brought a conqueft on this iflc, 

* 'Twixt Robert his eld'ftfon, and Henry, who the while 

* His brother*^ warlike tents in Paleftine were pight, 

i • In England here ufurp'd his eld'ft-bom brother's right ; 

* Which fincc! ft fordgn was, not ftruck within this land, 

* Amongft' our civil fights here numbered (hall not ftand. 

* Butli^incpln batde now we as our firft will lay, 

* Where Maud the cmprels flood to try the doubtful day, 

* With Stephen, when he here had well-near three ycto 

reigned, 

* Where both of them their right courageoufly m«itain'df 

* And marfhalling their troops, the king his peribn put, 

* Into his well-armM mairi, of ftrong and vaJiant foot : 

* The wings that were his horfe, in th'one of them he placM 

* Young Alan that brave duke of Britain whom he grac'd 

* With th' earls of Norfolk, and Northampton, and wiA 

thofcj 

* He Mellertt in that wing, and Warren did difpo(e. • 

* The other no whit left, that this great day might fted i 
• « The carl of Aubemerle, • and valiant Ipres ledw 

' «Tbtf 

V ^J((i Sui&z, near the fea« 



^ONGtiftTWENTY-SECOND. io6i 

* The emprcfs' powers again, but in two fquadroris were: 

* The vaward Chefter had, and Glouccfter the rear ; 

* Then were there valiant Wellhi anddcfpcrate menof our'it, 

* That when fupplics fhould wantj might reinforce then: 

powers. 

* The battles join» as when two adverfe feas are da(h*d 

< Af^& each othcr^s waves^ that all the plains were wa(h*d 

* With flK>wers of fwdtsring bloody that down the for; 

rowsran^ 

* Ere it could be difcern'd which either loft qr won. 

* Earl Baldwin, and Fitzurfe thofe valiant knights^ wcrfe feen 

* To charge the emprefe* horfcj as though dread Mars had 

been 

* There in two fundry rtiapes ; the day that beauteous was, 

* Twinkled as when you fee the fun-beams in a glals, 

* That nimbly being ftir*d, flings up the trembling flame * 

* At once, and on the earth reflefts the very lame. 

* With their refplendentfwords, that glifter'd*gainft the fun J 
^ The honour of the day, at length the emprefs won^ 

* Kin^ Stephen prifoner was, and with him many a lord^ 

* T/ie common ioldiers put together to the fword. 

* The next, the battle near St. Edmundlbury fought^ 

* By our Ficz-emprds* force, and Flemings hither brought 
« By th* earl of Le*fl», bent to move inteftine ftrife^ ' * 
« For young king^ Henry's caufe,crown'din his father^slife t 
« Which to bis kingly fire much care and fbrrow bred, 

« In whole defiance then that earl Ins enfigns fpread, 

« Back'd by Hugh Bigot's power, the earl of Norfolk then^^ 

« By bringing to his aid the valiant Norfolk men. 

^ 'Gainft Bohun, England's great high conilable that {way'd* 

* The royal forces, join*d with Lucy for his aid 

» Chief juftice, and wkh them the German powers, t*expcl 

* The earls of Cornwal came, Glo'fter, and Arundell, 

^ From Bury, that with them St. Edmund's banner bring, 

* Their battles in array : both wifely ordering 

* The armies chanc'd to meet upon the marfhy ground, 

* Betwixt St. Edmund's town, and Fomhkm (fitly found) 

Zzz 2 •The 

'* * J Henry the fecoadi 



io62 POL r^O LB lO Ni 

* The bellowing drums beat up a thunder for the chargr,' 

* The trumpets rend the jur, the enfigns let at tai^e, 
^ Like waving flames far off, to either hoft appear : 

* The bridling pikes dolhake^ to threat their coming near i 

* All clouded in a mift they hardly could them view, 

* So fliadow'd with the (hafts from either fide that flew. 

* The wings came wheeling, in, at joining of whole forees, 

* The either part were feen to tumble from thrir hor(es» 

* Which empty put to rout, are paunch'd with gleaves and 

piles, 

* Left clfe by running loofe, they might difrank their files. 

* The bill-men come to blows, that with the cruel thwacks, 
^ The ground lay ftrew'd with male, and Ihreds of Catter'd 

jacks: 

* The plains like to a fhop, look*d each where to behold, 

* Where limbs of mangled men on heaps lay. to be fold ; 

* Stern diicontented war did never yet appear 

f With a more threatning brow, than it that time did there. 
^ * O Leicefter (alas) in ill time waft thou won 
^To aid this graceiefs youth, the moft uigrateful ion 

* Ag^nft his natural fire, who crownM him in his days^ 

* Whofe ill-reqiMted love did lum much forrow raife, 

* At Le'fter by this war againft king Henry (how'd, 
<Upon fo bad a caufe, O courage ill beftow'd \ 

* Who had thy quarrd been, as thou thy felf was (Idll*d 
^^ In brave and martial feats, thou evermore had fill'd 

* This ifle with thy Wgh deeds, done in that bloody field: 
^ But Bigot and this lord, inforc'd at length to yield 

* Them to the other part, when on that fatal pWn, 

•.Of th'Englifli and the Dutch, ten thoufand men ky flain. 

< As for the iecond fight at Lincoln, J>etwixt thofe 
« Who fided with the French, by feeking to depofe • 

* Henry the fon of John, then young, and to advance 

* The Dauphin Lewis, fon to Philip king of France, 

« Which Lincoln caftle, then moft ftraightly did befiege ; 

* And William Marihal earl of Pembroke for his liege,. 

* (Who led the faithful lords) although fo many there, - 
^X)rin theconflift (lain, or taken pr^ners were; 

•Yet 



SONQ THE TWENTY-SECOND. 1063 

* Yet but for a furpria, no field appointed fight, 

* *Mongll our fet battles here, may no way claim a right. 

* The field at Lewes then, by our third Henry fought, 

* Who Edward his brave fon unto that conflift brought } v 

* With Richard then the king of Almain, and his fon 

* Young Henry, with fuch lords as to his part he won, 

* With him their Ibvereign liege, their lives that durft en- 

gage. 
'And the rebellious league of the proud baronage, 

* By Sirtion Mountford earl of Lc*fter their chief head, 

* And th'earl of Glo'fter, Clare, againft king Henry led; 
•For th'tocient freedoms here that bound their lives toftand, 
•The aliens to expulfe, who troubled all the land, 

* Whilft for this dreadful day, their great defigns were meant j 

* From Edward the young prince, defiances were fent 

* To Mountford's valiant fons, lord Henry, Sim, and Guy, 

* And calling unto him a herald, quoth he, fly 

* To th'earl of Le'ftcr's tents, and publickly proclaim 
^ Defiance to lus face, and to the Mountford's name, 

* And fay to his proud fons, Ay boldly thus from mei 

^ That if they be the fame, that they would fecm to bc^ 

* Now let them in the field be by thdr band-rouls known; 
^ Where as I make no doubt, their valour fhall be (hown i 
^ Whkh if they dare to do, and ftill uphdd their pride, 

* There will wc vent our fplecn§|^ where fwords fhall it de- 

cide* 

* To whom they thus reply*d, tell that brave man of hope; 
^ He flitll the Mountfords find in th'head of all their troop, 

* To anfwer his proud braves ; our bilbaws be as good ' 

* As Ms, our arms as ftrong ; and he (hall find our blood 

* Sold at as dear a rate as his ; and if we fall, 

* Tell him we'll hold fo faft, his crown fhall go withaU 

* The king into three fights his forces doth divide, 

^ Of which lus princely ^ fon the vaward had to guide : 

* The iecond to the king of Alm^, and his (on, 
•.Young Henry he betook, in the third legion 

Z ^ z 3 ! OF 

jlffikc fAwud, aftor called Edward the fiiOi 



xo64 P O L r^ O L B ION: 

* Of knights, and men of arms, in perfon he appearft. 

* Into four feveral fights, the defperate barons theirs. 

* Pth* firft thofe valiant yopths, the fons of Le'ftcr camCi 

* Of leading of the which, lord Hepry had the name : 

* The carl of Glo*fter brought the fecond battle on, 

* And with him the lords Mountchency, and Fitz- Jphrj : 

• * The third wherein alone the Londoners were pl4c- d^ • 
^ The ftout lord Segrave led ; the greateft, and the laft, 

* Bravp. Leicefter himfelf, with courage undertook. 
^ The day upon the hoft afFrightedly doth look, 

* To fee the dreadful fliock, their firft encounter gave, 

^ As though it with the roar, the thunder would out-brare. 

* Princq Edward all in gold, as he great Jove had been: 
J The Mountfords all in plumes, like oftriches were fecn, 

* To beard him to his teeth, to th' work of death they ga; 

* The crouds like to a fea feem'd waving to and fro, 

* Friend falling by his friend, together they expire : 
*He bre*th*d, doth ch^trge afrelH; he wounded, doth 

retire. 
^ The Mountfords with the ppnce vye valour all the day, 

* Which ihould for knighdy deeds excel, or he, or they, 
>' To them about his head, his glift'ring blade he throws, 

. ^ They waft him with the^r fwords, as long with equal ftiows: 

* Now Henry, Simon then, and then the youngeft Guy, 

* Kept by bis brothers back, thus ftoutly doth reply, 

" What tho* I be but young, let death me overwhelm, 
, '* But I will break my fword upon his plumed helpi." 

* The younger Bohun there, to high atchievements bent, 

* With whom two other lords, Lucy and Haftings went, 

^ Which charging but top home, all for^ly wounded were, 

* V^hom living from the field, the barops ftrove to bear, 

* Bfemg on their party fix'd •, whilft ftill prince Ed ward fpiirs, 

* To bring his forces up to charge the Londoners, 

* T'whom cruel hate he bare, and joining with their force, 

* Of he^vy-armedfoot, with his light northern horfe, 

* He putting them to flight, four miles ip chafe them flew< 
^ But ere he could retuf n> the conqueft wholly drew 

* To 



SONG THB TWENTY-SECOND. ioi65; 

^ To the ftout Barons fide : his father fled the field; 

* Iiteo the abbey there, conftrained thence to yield. 

* The lords Fitz- warren flain, and Wilton that was then 

* Chief Juftice (as fome lay) with them five thoufand men ;' 

* And Bohun that great earl of Hereford overthrown, 

* With Bardolfe, Somery, Patfiiui, and Percie known. 

* By their coat-armours they, for barons, prifoners ra'en ; * 

* Though Henry wore the crown, great Lc*{ter yet did 

reign. 

* Now for the conflift next, atChefterfield that chanced 
^,*Gainfl: Robert that proud earl of Derby, who advanc*4 

* His enfigns 'gainft the king, (contrary to his oath) 

* Upon the barons part, with the lord Dcuell, both 

* Siirpriz'd by Henry prince of Almain with his power, 

* By coming at fo ftrange an unexpei^ed hour : 

* .ijind taking them unarm'd ; fince meerly a defeat, 

* With our well-ordered fights, we will not here repeat. 

* The fatal batde then at fertile Eulham ftruck, 

* Though with the felf-fame hands, not with the fclf-fame 

luck : . 

^ For both the king and prince at Lewes prifoners taken, 

* By fortune were not yet fo utterly forfaken ; 

^ But that the prince was got from Le*fter,and doth gather 

* His firiends, by force of arms yet to redeem his father ; 

* And th* earl of Glo'fter won, who through the Mount- 

fords* pride 

* Dilgrac'd, came with his power to the imperial fide. 

* When now thofe lords, which lateat jUewes won the day,' 

* The lacrament received, their arms ni)t down to lay, 

* Until the king flipuld yield th*old charter to maintain. 

* KLing Henry and his fon prince Edward fwore again, 

* They would repeal thofe laws that were at Oxford made, 

* Or dirough this bloody war to their deftrudion wade. 

* But fmcc the king rdmain'din puiflant Le'fl;er*s power, 

* The remnant of his friends, whom death did not devour 
^ At Lewes' batde late, and durfi: his part partake. 

I The prince excites again, an army up to make, 

Z2Z4 Whom 



|o66 P I r^O Ja B t O iJ^ 

< Whom Roger Kgot, earl of Norfolk^ duA iSft/' 
« England^s high marfhal then, and that gfcutt mattijiB(^| 
« Old Henry Bohun^p earl of Herlbrd, in thfl W»^ 
? Gray, B^ffi^ and Saint-John, liOe, Bsroer Lttimar^ 

* AH baronsy which to him their utifioft (btngch^ del Ij^, 

• With many a knight for power their equal cir«y way | 
f And W^llian) Valence, earl of PembrolOB^ wlytf Ifad fled 
« From Lewes' field, to France, thdn with frclh filcc6i$r tpd^ 

♦ Young Humphry Bohunflai, doth Mrithgre^tLe'fter go, 

* Who for his country^s caufe becomes his fiither^s foe. 

^ Fitz-John, Qray, Spcnqer, Strai^^ Rofle, Segrave, Vet 

^, Giffofd, 
I Wake, Lucy, Vippunt^ Vaux^ Clare, Mdrmion^ Haibng^ 
Pifford, 
^ In that black right before this f^d and (fi^l day, 

• Were apparitions ftrang?, as dread heaven would bewray 
^ The hoiTors to enfue, O mofl amazing fight I 

« Two armies in the wr^ difcerncd were tp fight, 
< Which came ix^ near toearth, that in the mom they found' 
f The prints of hor^s feet remaining on the gpoond,. 
^ Which came but as a (how^ the qrpe to entertain, 
^ 'Till th'angry armies ipin'd, to a3: the bloody kcM. 

^ Shrill fhouta^ and deadly cries, es^h way the air do fiDi 
' And npt a word was heatd from either fide, but kill : 
^ The father *ganfl: the fon, thebrophcr 'gainft the brother, 
? With glcaves, fwords^ bills, and pikes, were murd'ring 

one another. 
^ The fiJfU luxiirious earth, feems fuffeited with bkx>d, 
^ Wlulfi in Ms uncle's gore th' unnatural nephew ftood ; 
f Whilft with thor charged ft^ves, the defper^ horfemen 

meet. 

* They hear their kinfmen groan under their horfes feet- 

f Dead men, and weapons broke^^ dp on the eardi abound' \ 
^ The drums bedafii'd with brains, do ^ve a difmal found. 

• Great Le'fter there eapir'd, with^ienry hi!f brave fon, 

t When many abi^ eiploit they in that day had done. 

.^ ....._ .. ^ Scarce 



SONG tliE TWBNTY^gECOND. io6;f 

* S&tfw w* th£re ndble houfe^ of i^HAch thofe dmes could 

cdl, 
^ But that fome one thereof, on ihh^ or that fide fell ; 
' Amongft dieflaughcer'd meOfthat there lay heap'don piles; 
^ Bohuns, and Beauchamps were, Bafets, and Mandeviles : 

* SegraveS) and Saint- Johns (eek^ upon the end of ail, 
^ To ^v'ethofe pf their names their chriftian burial. 

* Tte thouiand on both fides were ta^en and flain that day : 
^ Prince Edward gets the goal, and bears the paltn awi^. 

* All Edw^mlLongfhank'stime, her civil wars did ceaft^ 
^ Who ftrove his countr/s bounds bjr conquefttoinoreafe. 
^ But m th*enfuing reign of his mod riotous fon, 

* As in his father's days^ a fecond warbegun ; 

* When as the ftubbom heurs of the fcout bajtms dead, . 

^ Who for thdr country's caufe, their blood at Eulham fltecf, 

^ Not al:rie to endure the Spencers hateful pride, 

^ The father and the Ion, whofe counfels then dk! guide 

^ Th' inconfiderate Idng, conferring all his graces, 

^ On them who got al{ gifts, and bought and fold a&plaaS^ 

^ Them railing to debafc the baronage the more 

^ For Gavefton, whom they had put to denth before. 

< Whkrh urg'd toofar, at length to open arms they bndde^ 

* And for a fpeedy war they up their powers do make. 

* Upon king Edward's part, for this great z&ton bdni^ 
« His brother Edmund came, the valiant earl of Kent, 

* With Rkhmond, Arundel, and Pembroke, who engage, 

* Their powers, (three powerfut carls) ^inft the baronage. 

* And on the barons fide, great matter of the war, 

* Was Thomas (of die blood) the carl of Lancaftcr, 

* With Henry Bohun, earl of Hereford, his peer, 

* With whom (of great command and martialifts) there wer^ 

* Lyle, Darcy, Denville, Teis, Beach, Bradbume, Bemvilc, 

Knovile, 

* With Badlefmer, and Bercks, Fitz-william, Leybumc, 

LoveU, 

* Tuchety and Tdbot fh)iat, do fer the barons fbnd, 

] Mandute, and Mowbray^ with great Cl^flSbrd that com* 
mand 

t Thw 



/ 



io68 ^ O LY-0 LB ION: 

Their tenants to take arms, tHat with their landlords run ; 
With thefe went alfo Hugh, and Henry Willjngton ; 
Redoubted Damory, as Audley, Elmeibridge, Wither, 
Earls, barons, knights^ elquires, embodied all t^ether» 
At Burton upon Trent who having gathered head, 
Tow'rds them with all his power the king in peribn fped; 
Who at his near approach (upon his march) defcry'd. 
That they ag^ft his power the bridge had fortify'd : 
Which he by ftrong aflault, af&ys from them to win. 
Where as a bloody fight doth inftantly be^n. 
When he to beat them off, afiays them firft by Ihot ; 
And they to make that good, which they before had got. 
Defend them with the like, like hailflones from the fky, 
Fromcrois^bows, and thelong, the light-wing'd arrows flv: 
But fnended with the flood, the barons hold their ftrengtb, 
Fordng the king by boats, and piles of wood at lengtbi 
T* attempt to land his force upon the other fide. 
The barons, that the more his ftratagemsdefy'd, 
Withftand them in the (bream, when as the troubled flood, 
'(Within a litde time) was turned all to blood ; 
And from the boats and bridge, the mangled bodies Felled, 
The poor affrighted filh, their wat*ry walks expeird. 
While at the bridge the fight ftill ftrongly doth alride. 
The king had leam'd to know, that by a (kilful guide, 
tic by a ford not far might pals his power of horfe, 
Which quickly he performs, which drave the barons force 
From the defended bridge, t'afiront th'approaching foe, 
Imbattelling themfelves, when tp the fhock they go, 
(On both fides fo aflaiPd) till th*water, and the fhore 
Of one complexion were, diflainM with equal gore. 
Oft forc'd to change their fights, being driven from their 

ground. 
That when by their much lofs, too weak themfclyes they 

found, 
Th* afflifted barons fly, yet flill together keep. 
The king his good fuccefs, not fuff'ring fo to fleep, 

• jpurfues 



SONGthe TWENTY-SECOND. 1069 

< Purfues chem with hi$ power, which northward ftili do 
bear ; . 

^ And feldotn '(capes a day, but he doth charge their rear ; 

^ 'Till come to Burrou^- bridge, where they too ibon 
were (laid 

* By Andrew Herckley, carl of Carliflc, with frc(h aid 

* Being lately thither come, Kaqg Edward's part to ukc.^ 
^ ^he barons range their fights, ftill good their ground to 

make; 
*But with long marches dr'd, tbdr wearied breath they; 
draw, 

* Afeer the defp'rat'ft fight the fun yet ever fay, 

^ Brave Bbhun there was (lain, and L^incafter torCakta 
^ Of Fortune, is (iirpriz'd; the barons pri(bners taken. 

^ For the(e rebellions, ftirs, commotbns, uproars, here 
^ In ^ Ri(:hardBourdeaux reign, that long fo ufual were ; 

* As that f he firft by Straw, and Tyler, with their rout 

^ Of rebels brought from Kent, mofl: infolent and (tout, . 

* By entering I^ndon, thought the ifiand to fubdue : 

\ The (irft of which the mayor of London bravely (lew ; 

* Walworth, which won his name much honour by the deed : 
^ As they gf Sufifdk next, thofe ra(cals that fuccced, 

^ By ' litfter led about, their captain who enftiPd 
^ Himfelf the commons' king, in hope to have exil'd 
^ The gentry from thofe parts, by thofe that were his own, 
^ By that brave lri(hop (then) of Norwich overthrown. , 
^ By fuch unruly (laves, and that m EHTex rais'd 

* By Thomas that (lout duke of Glo'der drongly ceas'd, 
^ As that at Radcot bridge, where the lad named peer, 

* With four brave * earls his friends, encounter'd Robert 

Vere 

* Then duke of Ireland caird, by Richard (b created, 

*■ And '^ind thofe lords maint^n'd, whom they mod 
deadly hated ; 

* Since they but garboyles were, in a deformed mafs, 
^ -Not ordered (itting war, wc lighdy overpa(s. 

*I 

• Richard id^ born at Bom^eaux. I t Warwick, Derby^ Arvaiifil 

* John Litit^ry a dyer pf Nofwich. | ai|d^^octingham, 



toy6 POL r-O LB to N: ' ^ 

• I chufc the batdc next of Shrcwfbtny to cham, 

• Betwxt Henry the fourth, the fon of Johnof Gaunt^ 

* And the ftout Percies, Henry Hotfpur and lus Eame 
« The e^l of Wor'fter, who the rightfol diadem 

< Had from kkig Richard reft, andheavM up to lus feat 

< This Henry, whom (too foon) they found to be too g^tat^ 

• Him fecking to depofe, and 'to the rule prefer 

< Richard's proclaimed heir, thdr»coufin Mordmer, 

• Whom Owen Glendour then in Wales a piifoner ftaid, . 

• Whom to thdr part they won, and thus thrir plot they laH, t 
« That Glendour (hould have Wales, along as Severn went, i 

* The Percies all the north, that Jay beyond dieTrettt; 

* And Mortimer from thence the fouth to be his flwrc % 

* WhichHenry having heard, doth for the war prepare, 

• And down to Chcfliire makes (where gatheiing powers 

they were) 
^ At Shrewlbury to meet, and doth afl^ont them therfti 

• With him his peeriefs fon, the princely Henry came, 

* With th* earl of St!afford, and of gentlemen of name, 

« Blunt, Shyriey, Clifton, men that very powerful were, 
« With Cockayne, Calverly, Maffy, and Mortimer, 

* Gaufell, and Wendfley^ all in fnoids and tenants ftron^^i 

< Reibrting to the king Itill as he pafl: abng ^ 

* Which in the open field before the ranged fights, 

^ He waUti his warlike fon, there dub'd lus maiden knights, 
^ Th* earl t)ouglafs for this day doth with thePercies ftandi 

• To whom they Berwick gave, and in Northumberland 

• Some fcigniories and holds, if they the batde got, 

* Who brought with him to field full many an angry Scoti 

* At Holmdon battle late that being overthrown, 

♦ Now on the king and prince hop*d to regain their own \ 

♦ With aimofl: all the power of Chefliire got tpg^her, 

« By Venables, (there great) and Vernon muftcr'd tluther. 

* The vaward of the king, great Stafford took to guide* 

• The vaward of the lords upon the other fide, 

♦ Confifted* moft of Scots, which joining, made fuch (poiI| 

• As at the firft conftraia'd the Engliftx to recoU, 

!Afld 



BONG vm TWENTT-SECONa 167? 

f And almoft broke thdr ranks, whkh when king Hcnrv 
found, ^ 

* Bringing his battle up^ to reinforce die ground, 

* The Perdes bring up their's, again to make it good# 
^ Thus whilft the either hdt in cx>pofition ftood, 
^•Brsve ^ Douglafs vnth his (purs, ms fimous courier ftrak^ 
^ His lance let in his reft, when defperately he brake 

^ In« where his e^e beheld di* mperial enfignpght, 

< Where foon it was his chancy upon the king to light, 
f Which in his foil carreer he firom Ihs courier threw ; 

« The next Sir Walter Blunt, he with three other flew, 

* Ail armed like the king, wluch he dead fiire accounted ) 

* But after when he law the king himlelf remounted: 
*^'Tl^handofmine, quQthhe, four kings this day hath 

flain,* 

< And fwore out of the earth he thought they Iprang again^ 
^ Or fate dkl him defend, at whom he only aimM. 

* When Henry Hotlpur, fo with his high deeds inflam'd, 

« Dpth lecond him again, and throu^ fuch dangers prefiy 
^ That Douglafs' valiant deeds he made to feem the kfi, 
^ A3 ftiQ the people cried, A Percy Elpirance. 
« Th^ king which faw then time, or nerer to advance 
« His battle in the field, which near firom him was wodj 

< Aided by that brave pmnce, his moft courageous (on, 

« TlViio bravely comii^ on, in hope to S^re them dbafc;^' 
« It chanc'd he with a fliaft was wounded in the face i 

* Whom, when out of the fight^ his friends would bear 

away, 

* He fbongly it refas'd, and thus yras he^ to fiy : 

«♦ Time never (hall report, prince Henry left the fieW, 
*« When Harry Piercy ftaid, his traitorous fword to wieW.* 
^ Now rage and equal wounds, alike inflame their bloods, 
^ And the main batdes join, as do two adverfe flooAs 

* Met in fome narrow arm, Ihould^ring as they would fhov^ 
^ Each other from their path, or would their banks removel 

•The 

^ llie high amttffi .of Dougjafi I Dougli^s^ which after jrew to a 
tpott lum due addition of Dooghty | provciii. 



lo;:^::. P LT-O L B 10 Kt ^ 

. ^ The Idng his trait*rou$ foes, before hirn down doth hew^ 
^ And with his hands that day, near forty perfbns flew: 
When conqueft wholly turns to his vidprious fide^ . 
His power furrounding all, like to a furious tide ; 
That Henry Hotfpur dead upon the cold earth lies, 
.Stout. Wor'fter taken was, and doughty Douglals flies. 
Five thoufand from both parts left dead upoa the grouod^ 
'Mongft whom the king's faft fnend, grear Suffoidk 

corfe was found ; 
And all the knights there dub'd the morning but before^ 
The evening's fun beheld there fweltfcrM in their gore. 
. ^ Here I at Bramham-moor the battle in flioukl bria|^ 
Of. which earl Percte had the greatef^ manag^ig. 
With the lord Bardolfc there, againft the county^s power, 
Faft cleaving to his friend, even to his utmoft hour : 
In Flanders, France, and Wales, who having been abroad 
To raife them prefent powers, intending for a road 
On England, for the hate he to kii^ Henry bore ; 
"His £)n and brother's blood augmenting it the more^ ' 
Which in his miightv fpirit ftill rooted did remain, 
'By his too much deniult, whom he imputed flain 
At 3hrewfbury before,- to whom if he had brought 
Supplies,(that bloody field, when they fo bravely fought) 
They furely it bad won \ for which to mak^ amends, ' 
B^ng furnilhed wkh men, amongft his foreign fnends, 
tfy Scotland enter'd here, and with a violent hand 
Upon thofe caftks fdz'd within Northumberland 
His earldom, which the king, ( who much his truth did 
. doubt, 
^ Had taken to himfelf, and put his people out) 
^ Toward Yorkfhire coming on, where (foon repaid his 

' . own) 
^ AtBramham's fatal moor, was fouUy overthrown : 

* Which though it were indeed, a long and mortal f^ht, 

* Where many men were maim'd, and many (lain ouaight : 

* Where that courageous e^rl, all hopes there feeing paft, 

* Amongft his murther'd troops (even) fought it to the laft: 

•Yet 



; SOMd Ttti TWENTY-SECOND. 107J 
« Yet for it was atchiev'd by multitudes of men, 

■ •Which withRalphRoklby rofe, the (h'rif of Yorklhire theh^ 
« No well propordon'd fight, we of defcription quit, 

< Amohgft our famous fields ; nor will we here admit 

* That df that rakehell Cades, and his rebellious crew, 

* In Kent and Suflex rais'd, at Se*noak fight that flew 

*,• The SjafFords with thdr power, that thither him purfu'd, 
^ i Who' twice iipon Black-heath j back'd with the commons 

, .. . rude, 

^* IncampM againil the king : then goodly London took, 

* There ranfopiinglbme rich, and up the priibns broke, 
^ His fenfual b^afcly will, for law that did prefer, 
HSeheaded the lord Say, thea^ngland's treafurer, 

^ And forc'd the king to flight, his perfon ta fecure, 
•The mufe admits not here, a rabble fo impure. - 

^ But brings that b^le on of that long dreadful war,^ 
.* Of diofe two hbuies nam'd of York and Lancafter, ' 
'« In £urfmat Albans fought, mofl: fatally betwixt 
*• Richard then duke of York, and Henrf call'd the fixth,' 
*For that iH gotten crown, which him ms ^ grandfire left, 
« That mcewife with |iis life, he fix>m king Richard reft, 
« When underhand the duke doth butpromove his claim,* 
« Whofirom the elder fon, the duke of Clarence came, ' 
^F(»' which he raifed arms, yet feem'd but to abet 
^ The people, to pluck down the earl of Somerfet, 

< By whom (as thev gave out) we Normandy had loft^ 
^ And yet he was me man thsit only rul'd the roaft. 

* With Richard duke of York, (into his fa&k>n won) 
*Salifl>ury and Warwick came, the father arid the fon j' 

* The Nevils nobler name, that have renown'd fo far. 

* So likewife with the king in this great aAion are, 
•The dukes of Somerfet, and Buckingham, withthefe 
^ Were thrice {o many earls, their ftout accomplices, 

* As Pembroke great in power, and Stafibrd with them ifauid, . 
^ With Devonfliire, Dorfet, Wilt, and fierce Northumber- 

•land, 

!With 
! Hcnrjr the fomtli. 



1074 P O L r^O L 9 to J^i, 

* \Vith Sidley, Berns, and Rofii throe b^ons with the i^ 
^ When Richard duke of Xor^i ;hoi marclung £rom (bi 

* Tp>w;ards whom, whilii; with hk power king Hetiry {^^ 

W^d fct, 
^ Unluckily as't hapt, they stf iaint AlbauB inet j 

* Where taking up the fhree;;^ the buUdirigs them eilcloief 

* Where front doth anfwejr froot» and ftren^ xloth itrengeh 

oppofe -, 
^ Whild: like two niighty walls, they each to other Han^ 
^ And as one finketh down utider his enemv's haod^ < I 
^ Another thrufting in» his pbce doth ftiU iupplyt. f 

* Betwixt them whilft on hcayps the mao^^ ibodLa fie r . i- 
^ Th^ ftaljs 2^re overthrown vfiA theunwielfly thruft^ 
•The windows with the (hot, are fhiver*d all to 4uft« , 

* The winter's fleet or hail wjis never feen. &i thick, 
^ As on the hou(es fides the bearded arrows ftick» 

* Where Warwick's courage firil moft comet-like aroeaf*^ 

* Who with woi^5 full of 4>irit, his fighting fc^diers cmei^ii 
/And ever as he &w the fiaughter of his xoea, 

* He with fitfii forces fili'd the places up agam. 

* The valiaut ^ Marchmen thus the battle AiU maiofiwif . 
^ That when king Henry fouqd on heaps his fpldiers flnni 
^ His great cooun^ers f:aUs^ who ^bei} ^^ iadly (av^. 
\The honour of tjbe day wpiUld to the Yorkius dntVt 

* Their perfons they put in, as for the {aft tQ ftand ; 

* The doke QiS/9mfiT(s$^ Henry Nortiiumberlaiid, 
^ Of thofe^brave warlike earls, the fecond of that nanae, 
^The earl qi§tSiSotd^ ion to thMuke of Buckingh^nii 

* And Johff lordCj^prd then, which flied their noUe ffgt 

* Under thf caftle's figq, (of which not long before, 
f A prc^het bad the duke of Somerfet beware) 

* With many a valiant kj;yght, in death that had his (haxfi 
^ So much great EiigUfii bipod, for others' lawkfs guik, 
^ Upon fo Ijccle ^puad befpr^ was never fpilt. 
^ Proud York hath got the goal, the king of allforlakedi 
^iMoa cottage got, a woftil prifoner taken. 

^Thi 
k Men broui^t (Hit of tbe marches of W^« 



S ONG -THE tWENTY-SECOND. 1071 

. * The battle of Blore-heath, the place doth next fupply, 

* 'Twixt Richard Nevil, that great earl of Salifburyj 

"• Who with the duke qf York, had ai: faint Albans late^ 

* That glorious battle got with uncontrouled fate : 

* And James lord Audley ftirM by that revengeful queen^ 
^ To flop him on his way, for the inveterate fpleen 

* She bare him, for that ftill he with the Yorldlis held, 

* Who coming from the north, (by fundry wrongs com-^ 

pclM 

* To parley with the king) the queen that time who lay 

* In StafFordfliire, and thought to flop him on his way^ 

* That valiant Tuchet ftir'd, in Chelhire powerful then, 
« T*afFront him in the field, where Chefhire gentlemen , 

* Divided were, th'one part made valiant Tuchet ftrottgj 

* The other with the earl rofe as he came along, 

* Incamping both their powers, divided by a brook, 

* Whereby the prudent earl, this ftrong advantage took : 

* For putting in the field his army in array, 

•"Then making as (with fpeed) he meant to march away^ 

*He caus'd a flight of fhafts to b? difcharged firft. 

^ The enemy who thought that he had done his worft, 

* Ahd cowardly had fled in a dilbrder*d rout, 

^ Attctmpt to wade the brook^ he wheeling (foon) about, 

* Set fiercely on that part, which then were pafled over i 

* Their friends then in the rear, not able to recover 

* The other rifmg bank, to lend the vaward aid* 

* The earl who found the plot take right that he h^d laid^' 

* On thofe that forward prefl:* as thofe that did recoil, 

* As hungry in revenge, there made a ravenous fpoil :, 

* There Button Button kills ; a Done doth kill a Done i 

* A Booth, a Booth; and Leigh by Leigh is overthrown i 

* A Venables, againft a Venables doth ftand i. 

* A Troutbeck fighceth with a Troutbeck hand to hand ^ 
« There Molineux doth make a Molineux to die, 

* AndEgerton, the flrcngth of Egerton doch try.* 

« O Cheftiire wert thou mad, of thine own native gore 
« So much until this day thou never fljcd*ft befgre 1 

A a a a « Aborq 



1076 POL r^O L B 10 N: 

* Above two thoufand men upon the earth were throwot 
i Of which the greateft part were naturally thine own. 

* The ftout lord Audley flain, with many a captain there j 

* To Salifbury it forts the palm away to bean 

*Then fair Northampton next, thy battle* place ffiall 
take, 

* Which of th*imperial war, the third fought field doth 

make, 

* 'Twixt Henry callM our fixth, upon whofe party came 

* His near and dear allies, the dukes of Buckingham, 

* And Somerfet, the earl of Shrewfbury of account, 

* Stout vifcount Beaumont, and the young lord Egremount, 
' 'Gainft Edward earl of March, fon to the duke of York, 

* With Warwick, in that war, who fet them all at work, 

* And Falconbridge with him, not much unlike the other 1 

* A Nevil nobly born, his puiflant father's brother, 

' Who to the Yorkifts claim, had evermore been true, 

* And valiant Bourcher, earlofEflex, and of Eau. 

* The king from out the town, who drew his foot and 
horfe, 

* As willingly to give full field-room to his force, 

* Doth pafs the river Nen, near where it down doth run 
'From his firft fountain's head, is near to Harfington, 

* Advifed of a place, by nature ftrongly wrought, 

* Doth there encamp his power : the earl of March who 

fought 
' To prove by dint of fword, who fhould obtain the day, 

* From Towcefter train'd on his powers in good array. 

* The vaward Warwick led, (whom no attempt could fear;) 

* The middle March himfelf, and Falconbridge the rear. • 

*Now July entered was, and ere the rcftlefs fun 

* Three hours afcent had got, the dreadful fight begun 
'By Warwick, who a ftraight from vifcount Beaumont took, 
' Defeating him at firft, by which he quickly broke 

' In, on th'imperial hoft, which with a furious charge, 
'He forc'd upon the field, it felf more to enlarge; 
' Now Englilh bows, and bills, and battle-axes walk, 
' Death up and down the field in gaftly fort doth ftalk. 
"-■-- 'March 



SONG TrtE TWENrY.S£CONaio77 

< March in the dower of youth, like Mars himfelf doth bear j 
^ But Warwick as the man, \^hom fortune feem*d to fear, 

* Did for him what he would, that wherefoe'cr he goes, 
« Down like a furious ftorm, before him all he throws : 

« So Shrewfbury again of Talbot's valiant drain, 

* (That fatal fcourge of France) as ftoutly doth maintain 

* The party of the king, fo princely Somerfet^ 

* Whom th' other's knightly deeds, more eagerly doth whet, 

* Bears up with them again : by Somerfet oppos*d 

* At laft king Henry's hoft being on three parts chclos'd, 

* And aids ftill coming in upon the Yorkifts fide, 

* The fummer being then at height of all her pride, 

* The hufbandman, then hard upon his harveft was : 

* But yet the cocks of hay, nor fwaths ofnew-fhorn grafs, 

* StrewM not the meads fo thick, as mangled bodies there, 

* When nothing could be feen, but horror every where : 

* So th^t upon the banks, and in the ftream of ^ Nen, 

* Ten thoufand well refolv'd, flout native Engliflimen 

\ Left breathiefs, with the reft great Buckingham is flain, 

* And Shrewfbury, whofe lofs thofe times did much com* 

plain, 
^ Egrembnr, and Beaumont, both found dead upon the 
field, 

* The miferable king, inforc'd again to yield- 

* Then Wakefield battle next, we in our bedroul bring, 

* Fought by prince Edward, fon to that oft-conquer'd king, 

* And Richard duke of York, ftill ftruggling for the drown, 

* Whom Salifb'jry aflifts, the man with whofe renown 

* The mouth of fame feem'd fiU'd, there having with them 

then 

* Some few feleded Wellh, and fouthern gentlemen r 

* A hindful to thofe powers, wWi which prince Edward 

camev 

* Of which amongft the reft, the nien of nobleft name, 

' -Were thofe two great-born dukes; which ftill his right 

prefer . . ■ 

f His coufen Somerfet, and princely Exeter, 

A a a a 2 • • The 

f The river running by Northampton, 



1078 POL r-0 L B 10 N: 

* The earl of Wikfliire ftill, tKat on his part ftuck clofe: 

* With thofe two valiant peers, lord Clifford, and lor4 

Rols, 

* Who made their march from York to Wakefield, on 

their way 

* To meet the duke, who then at Sandal caftlc lay, 

* Whom at his (very) gate, into the field tney dar*^ 

* Whole long expefted powers not fully then prepared, 

* That March his valiant fon, ftiould to his fuccours bring. 

* Wherefore that puiflant lord, by fpeedy muftering 

* His tenants and fuch friends, as he that rime could get, 

* Five thoufand in five days, in his battalion fet 

* 'Gainft their twice doubled ftrength ; nor could the duke 

be ftayM, 

* Till he might from the fouth be feconded with aid ; 

* As in his martial pride, difdaining his poor foes, 

* Sq often us*d to win, he never thought to lofe. 

* The prince, which flill provok'd th*incenfeA duke to 
fight, 

* His main battalion ranged in Sandal's lofty fight, 

* In which he, and the duke's, were feen in all their pride : 

* And as York's powers (hould pafs, he had on eitherfide 

* Two wings ia ambufli laid, which at the place affign'd 
*His rearward fhould inclofe, which as a thing divin'd, 

* Juft caught as he forecaft •, for fcarce his army comes 

* prom the defcending banks, and that his rattling drums 

* jplxcites his men to charge j but Wiltlhire with his force, 

* Which were of light-arm'd foot, and Rcfs with his light 

horfe, 

* C4me in upon their backs, as from a mountain thrown, 

* in number to the duke's, by being four to one. 

*Even as a rout of wolves, when they by chance have caught 

* A bead out of the herd, which long time they have fought; 
'Upon liini all at once courageoully do fet, 

* Him by the dewlaps fome, Ibme by the flank do get: 

* Some climbing to his ears, do never leave their hold, 

* Till falling on the ground, they have him as they would, 

•With 



SON<5 THE TWENTY-SECOND. 1079 

* With many of his kind, which, when he us*d to wend, 
*What with their horns and hoofe, could then themfelves 

• defend. 

^ Thus on their foes they fell, and down the Yorkifts fall ; 
^ Red flaughter in her arms encompaffcth them all. 

* The firft of all the fights in this unnatural war, 

^ In which blind fortune fmil'd on wofiil Lancafter. 

* Here Richard duke of York, down beaten, breath'd 

' Ms laft, 

* And ^alifbury fo long with conqueft ftill that paft, 

* Inforced was to yield ; Rutland a younger fon 

* To the deceafed duke, as he away would nm, 

* ( A child fcarce twelve years old) by Clifford there furprizM, 

* Who whilft he thought with tears his rage to have fuffic*d, 
^ By him was anfwer'd thus, thy fether hath flain mine, 

* And for his blood (young boy) TU have this blood of thine, 

* And ftab'd him to the heart : thus the Lancaftrians reign, 

* The Yorkifts in the field on heaps together flain. 

* The battle at that crofs, which to this day doth bear 

* The great and ancient name of th'Englifli Mortimer, 

* The next fliall here have place, betwixt that Edward fought, 

* Entitled earl of March^ (revengefully that fought 

' To wreak his father's blood, at Wakefield lately fhed, 

* But then he duke of York, his father being dead) 

* And Jalper Tudor earl of Pembroke, in this war, 

* That flood to underprop the houfe of Lancafter, 

* Half brother to the king, that ftrove to hold his crown, 

* With Wiltfhire, whofe high prowefs had bravely beaten 

* down 

* The Yorkifts' fwelling pride in that fuccefsful war 

* At Wakefield, whofe great'ft power of Welfh and Irilh are. 

* The duke's were Marchers moft, which ftill ftuck to him 

clofe, 

* And meeting on the plain, by that forenamed crofs •, 
' As either general there for his advantage found, 

^ ( For wifely they furvey'd the fafliion of the ground) 
' They into one main fight their either forces make, 

* When to the duke of York (his fpirits as to awake) 

A a a a 3 ^^I^Vcl^^ 



io8o P L r-0 L B I N: 

* Three funs at once appeared, all fever^ly tftat fhone, 
^ Which in a little fpace were joined all in one, 

* Aufpicious to the duke, as after it fell out, 

* Who with the weaker power, (of which hefeem'd to doubt) 
^ The proud Lancaftrian part had quickly put to chafe, 

* Where plainly it fhould feem, the genius of the place, 

* The very name of March fhould greatly favour there, 

* A title to this prince derivM from Mortimer : 

* To whom tliis trophy rear'd much honour d had the foil. 

* The Yorkifts here enrich'd with the Lancaftrian fpoil, 

* Are nnafters of the day ; four thoufand being (lain, 

* The moft of which were thofe, there ftanding to maintain 

* The tide of the king. Where Owen Tudor's lot 
^ Was to be taken then ; who this young earl begot 
*OnKatherinethe bright queen, the fifth king Henry's bride, 

* Who too untimely dead, this Owen had affy'd. 

* But he a prifoner then, his fon and Ormond'fled, 
At Hereford was made the (hortcr by the head ; ' 

* When this moft warlike duke, in honour of that fign, 
Which of his good fuccefs fo rightly did divine, 

* And thankful to high heaven, which of his caufe had care, 
« Three funs for his devife ftill in his enfign bare. 

* Thy fecond battle now, St. Albans, I record, 
^ Struck *twixt Queen Margaret's power, to ranfom back 

her lord, 
' Ta'ei) prifoner at that town, when there thofe faftions 
fought, 

* Whom now the part of York had thither with them 

brought, 
' Whofe force confifted moft of fouthern men,' being led 

* By Thomas How:ird duke of Norfolk, and the head 

^ Of that proud faflion then,ftout Warwick ftill that fway*d, 

* in every bloody field (the Yorkifls only aid) 

^ Wlien Other's power apprdach'd, and they themfelves 
had fix'd, 

* l^pon the fouth and north, the town them both betwixt, 

* Which firft of all to take, the Yorkifts had forecaft, 

^ Putting their vaward on, and their beft archers plac'd 

' The 



SONOthe TWENTY-SECOND. io8i 

* Th^ market-fled about, and them fo fitly laid, 

* That when the foe canxe up, th^y with fuch terror playM 

* Upon them in the front, as forced them to retreat. 

* The northern mad with rage upon the firft defeat, 

* Yet put for it again, to enter from the north, 

* Which when great Warwick heard, he fent his vaward 

forth, 

* T'oppofe them in what place foe'er they made their ftand, 

* Where in too fit a ground, a heath too near at hand, 

* Adjoining to the town, unluckily they light, 

* Where prefendy began a fierce and deadly fight. 

* But thofe of Warwick's part, which fcarce four thoufand 

were, 

* To th' vaward of the queen's, that ftood fo ftoutly there, 

* Tho* ftill with frefh fupplies from her main battle fed ; 

* When they their courage faw fo litde them to ftead, 

* Deluded by the long expedlance of their aid, 

* By paflages too ftraight, and clofe ambulhments ftaid: 

* Their fuccours that forflow'd, to flight themfelvcs betake, 

* When after them again, fuch fpeed the northern make, • 

* Being followed with the force of their main battle ftrong, 

* That this diforder'd rout, thefe breathlefs men among, 

* They enter'd Warwick's hoft, which with fuch horror 

ftruck 

* The fouthern, that each man begin al)OUt to look 

* A way how to efcape, that when great Norfolk cry*d, 

* Now as you favour York, and his juft caufe, abide. 

* And Warwick in the front even oflfer'd to have ftood 

* Yet neither of them both, fhould they have fpent their 

blood, 

* Could make a man to ftay, or look upon a foe : 

* Where fortune it fhould feem, to Warwick meant to ftiow, 

* That Ihe this tide of his could turn when e'er fhe would. 

* Thus when they faw the day was for fo little fold -, 

* The king, which (for their ends) they to the field had 

brought, 

* Behind them there they leave, but as a thing of nought, 

A a a a 4 * Which 



lo82 P Q JL r-OL B JO Nj 

^ Which ferv*d them to no ufe : who when his queen and 

• fon 
« There foimd in Norfolk's tent, the battle being done^ 

* With many a joyful tear, each other they embrace ; 

♦ And whilft blind fortune look'd with fo well plc»sM a face : 

• Their fwords with the warm blood of Yorkifts fo embru^d 
f Their foes but lately fled, couragcoudy purfu'd. 

♦ Now foUoweth that black fcene, born up fo wondrous 
high, 
I That but a poor dumb (hew before a tragedy, 

< The former battles fought have feem'd to this to be ; 
i OTowjon, let the blood palm-funday fpent.on thee, 

c Affright the future times, when they the mqfe fhall hear, 
^ Deliver it fo to them j and let the ^fhes there 
f Of forty thoufand men, in that long quarrel flain, 
f Arifeout of the earth, as they would live again, 
c To tell the manlike deeds, that bloody day were wrought 
c In that moft fatal field, (with various fortunes fought) 
f 'Twixt Edward duke of York, then late proclaimed king, 
' f Fourth of that royal name, and him accompanying, 
^ The Nevils, (of that war maintaining ftill the ftream) 

< Great Warwick,and with him his moft courageous Eame, 

♦ Stout Fajconbridge ; the third a firebrand like the other, 

< Of Salifbury fumam'd, that Warwick's baftard brother. 

< Lord Fitzwalter, who ftill the Yorkifts power affifts, 

^ Blount, Wenlock, Dinham, knights approved martialifts, 
« And Henry the late king, to whom they ftill durft ftand, 
^ His true as powerful friend, the great Northumberland, 
^ With Weftmoreland, his claim who ever did prefer 

* His kinfman Sornerfet, his chofen Exeter, 

^ Dukes of the royal line, his faithful friends that were, 

♦ And little lefs than thofe, the earl ot Devorifhire, 

* Th* lord Dacres, and lord Wells, both wife and warlike 

wights, 

♦ With him of great command, Nevil andTrolop, knights. 

' Both armies then on foot, and on their way fet forth, 
^ King Edward from the fouth, king Henry from the north. 

I ^ The 



SONG THE TWJBNTY.SECOND. 1Q83 

The latter crowned king doth preparation make. 
From Pomfret (where he lay) the paffage firft to take 
O'er Aier at Ferrybridge, and for that fervice fends 
A moft felefted troop of his well-chofen friends. 
To make that paflage good, when inftantly began 
The dire and om'nous figns, the flaughter thatfore-nuu' 
For valiant Clifford there, himfelf fo bravely quit. 
That coming to the bridge (ere they could ftrengthen it) 
From the Lancaftriaa power, with his light troop of hoifc^ 
And early in the morn defeating of their force. 
The lord Fitzwalter flew, and that brave baftard fon 
Of Salifbury, themfelves who into danger run: 
For being in their beds, fufpefting nought at all ;' 
But hearing fudden noife, fuppos*d fome broil to fall 
'Mongft their mifgovernM troops, unarmed rufliing out 
By Clifford's foldiers foon incompafled about. 
Were miferably flain : which when great War wick hears,. 
As he had felt his heart tranfperfed through his ears. 
To Edward, mad with rage, immediately he goes. 
And with diflrafted eyes, in moft ftern manner fhows 
The flaughter of thofe lords 5 This day alone, quoth he. 
Our utter ruin fliall, or our fure rifing be. 
When foon before the hoft, his glittering fword he drew^, 
And with relentlefs hands his fprighdy courfer flew. . 
Then ftand to me (quoth he) who meaneth not to fly % 
This day fliall Edward win, or here fliall Warwick die. 
* Which words by Warwick fpoke, fo deeply fecm'd tal 
fting 

• The much diftemper'd brcaft of that courageous king. 

• That ftraight he made proclaimed, that every fainUQ^ 

heart, 

* From his refolved hoft had licence to depart ; 

^ And thofe that would abide the hazard of the fight, 

• Rewards and tides due to their deferved right : 

' And that no man, that day, a prifoner there fliouldtake^ 

* For this the upfliot was, that all muft mar or make, 

* A hundred thoufand men in both the armies ftood, 
^ That native Englifli were: O worthy of your blood 



lo% P O L T-0 L B I O N: 

^ What conqueft had there been ? but enfigns fly at large, 

* And trumpets every way Ibund to the dreadfu} charge. 

* Upon the Yorkifts part, there flew the ireful bear : 

* On the Lancaftrian fide, the creflant waving there. 

* The fouthern on this fide, for York a Warwick cry, 

* A Percy for thcright, the northern men reply. 

* The two main battles join, the four large wings do meet 5 

* What with the Ihouts of men, and noife of horfes feet, 

* Hell through the troubled earth, her horror feem'd to 

breath •, 

* A thunder heard above, an earthquake felt beneath : 

* As when the evening is with darknefs overfpread, 

* Her ftar-befreckled face with clouds invelloped, 

* You oftentimes behold, the trembling lightning fly^ 

* Which fuddenly "again, but turning of your eye, 

* Is vaniftied away, or doth fo fwiftly glide, 

* That with a trice it touch th' horizon's either fide 

* So through the fmoke of dufl:, from ways, and fallows 

rais'd, 

* And breath of horfe and men, that both together ceas'd 

* The air on every part, fent by the glimmering fun, 
' The fplendor of their arms dpth by refleftion run ; 

* Till heaps of dying men, and thoJe already dead, 

* Much hinder- d them would charge, and letted them that fled. 

* Beyond all wonted bounds, their rage fo far extends, 

* That fullen night- begins, before their fury ends, 

* Ten hours this fight endur'd, whilfl: fl:ill with murdering 

hands, 
< Expefting the next morn, the weak'ft un^conquer'd ftands i 
^' Which was no fooner come, but both begin again ' 

* To wreck their friends dear blood the fbr mer evening flain. 

* New battles are begun, new fights that newly wound, 

* Till the Lancaftrian part, by their much lefs*ning found 

* Their long-expecfted hopes were utterly forlorn, 

* Wh^n Jaftly to the foe their recreant backs they turn. 

* Thy channel then, O * Cock, was fill'd up with the dead 

* Of the Lancaftrian fide, that from the Yorkifts fled, 

'That 
' A IMc rivulet near to Towtotv, runmn^ into Wharfe. 






SONG THE TWENTY-SECOND. 1085 

That thofe of Edward's part, that had the rear in chafe. 
As though upon a bridge, did on their bodies pafe. 

* That Wharfe to whofe large banks thou contribut*ft thy 

ftore. 
Had her more chriftal face difcolour*d widi the gore 
Of forty thoufand men, that up the number made, 
Northumberland the great, and Weftmoreland there laid 
' Their bodies : valiant Wells, and Dacres there do leave 
' Their carcafes, (whofe hope too long did them deceive.) 
' Trolop and Nevil found maffacred in the field, 
' The earl of Wiltftiire forc'd to the ftern foe to yield. 
^ King Henry from fair York, upon this fad mifchance 
' To Scotland fled, the queen fail'd over into France, 
^ The duke of Somerfet, and Exeter do fly, 
^ The reft upon the earth together breathlefs lie. 

* Mufe turn thee now to tell the field at Hexam ftruck, . 

* Upon the Yorkifts* part, with the moft profp'rous luck 

* Of any yet before, where to themfelves they gain'd 

* Moft fafety, yet their powers leaft damage there fuftain'd, 

* *Twixt John lord Mounfacute, that Nevil, who to ftand 
' For Edward, gathered had out of Northumberland 

' A fort of valiant men, confifting moft of horfe, 

* Which were again fupply'd with a moft puiflTant force, 

* Sent thither from the fouth, and by king Edward brought 

* In perfpn down to York, to aid if that in ought . 

* His general (hould have need, for that he durft not truU 
' The northern, which fo oft to him had been unjuft : 

* Whilft he himfelf at York, a fecond power doth hold, 

' To hear in this rough war, what the Lancaftrians would. 

• And Henry with his queqn, who to their powers had got, 
' The lively daring French, and the light hardy Scot, 

' To enter with them here, and to their part do get, 

* Their faithful lov'd ally, the duke of Somerfet, 

* An.d Sir RalpK Pcrcie, then moft powerful in thofe parts, < 

* Who had been reconciled to Edward, but their hearts 
' Still with king Henry ftaid, to him and ever true, 

^ Tq whom by this revolt, they many northern drew : 

*Sir 



io86 T O L r^O-L B ION: ' 

Sir'^iHiam Taylboys, (calPd of moft) the earl oFKime, 
WkhHungerford, andRofle, and Mullins,of that time 
.Barons of high account, with Nevil, Tunftall, Gray, 
Huffy, and Findern, knights, bearing mighty fway. 
' As forward with his force, brave Mountacute was let, 
\ It hapM upon his way at Hegly-mpor he met 
'"With Hungerford, and Roffe, and Sir Ralph Percie, where 
In fignof good fuccefs (as cert^nly it were) 
They and their utmoft force were quickly put to ffightj 
Yet Percie as he was a moft courageous knight. 
Ne'er budg'd till his laft breath, but in the field was (lain. 
Proud of this firft defeat, then marching forth again, 
Towards Livells, a large wafte, which other plains out- 
braves, 
Whofe verge frefti "^ Dowell ftill is watering with her waves^ 
Whereas his poftingfcouts. King Henry's power defcry'd, 
Tow'rds whom with Ipcedy march, this valiant general 

hy'd, 
Whofe hafte there likewife had fuch profperous event. 
That lucklefs Henry yet, had fcarccly clear'd his tent. 
His captains hardly fet his battles, nor enlarg'd 
Their fquadrons on the field, but this great Nevil chared: 
Long was this doubtful fight on either fide maintained. 
That rifmg whilft this falls, this lofing whilft that gain'd : 
The ground which this part got, and there as conquerors 

flood, 
The other quickly gain, and firmly make it good. 
To either as blind chance her favours will difpofe •, 
So to this part it ebb'd, and to that fide it flows. ' 
At laft, till whether 'twere th^t fad and horrid fight. 
At Saxton that yet did their fainting fpirits affright. 
With doubt of fccond lofs, and flaughter, or the aid 
ThatMc»intacute receiv'djKing Henry's power difmay'd 
And giving up the day, diflionourably fled, 
Wl^m with io violent fpeed the Yorkifts followed. 
That had not Henry fpur'd, and had a courfer fwift, 
Befides a ikilful guide, through woods and hills to fhift, 

» A little tivcr near Hcxam^ 



SONG THE TWENTY-SECOND. jaS^ 

He fure had been furpriz'd, as they his hench-mcn toofc^ 
With whom they found his hc\rt\ i with moft dilaftrous 

luck. 
To lave themfelves by flight, »e'ef more did any ftnve. 
And yet fo many men ne'er taken were alive. 
* Now Banbury we come thy battle to report. 
And fliowth' efficient caufe, as in what wond'rous (orft ' 
Great Warwick was wrought in to the Lancaftriaa pfxt^ * 
When as that wanton king fo vex'd lus mighty hea^: 
Whilft in the court of France, that warrior he beftoW^d, ' 
(As potent here at home, as powerful elfe abroad) 
A marriage to intreat with Bona bright and iheen. 
Of the Savoyan blood, and fifter to the queen. 
Which whilft this noble earl negotiated ther^. 
The "mdow lady Gray, the king efpoufed here. 
By wMch the noble earl in France who was di^tacM^ 
(in England his revenge doth but too quickly hafte) 
T* excite the northern men doth fecretly begin^ 
(With whom he powerful was) to rife, that coming in. 
He might put in his hand, (which only he defir*d) 
Which rifing before York, were likely to have fir'd . 
The city, but rcpuls*d, and Holdorn them that led 
Being taken, for the caufe made fhorter by the head. 
Yet would not they defift, but to their captains drew 
Henry the valiant fon of John the lord Fitz-Hugh, 
With Coniers that brave knight, whole valour they prefer. 
With Henry Nevil, fon to the lord Latimer, 
By whofe allies and friends, they every day grew ftrong. 
And fo in proud array tow'rds London march along. 
Which when king Edward law the world began to fide ' 
With Warwick, till himfelf he might of power provide. 
To noble Pembroke fends, thofe rebels to withftand. 
Six thouland valiant Welfh, who muftVing out of hand^ 
By Richard Herbert's aid^ his brother doth them bring, 
^ And for their greater ftrength (appointed by the king) , 
^ Th* lord Stafford (of his houfe) of Powick named then, 
\ Eight hundred archers brought, the moil feledtcd men 



io88 Pol r^o l b lo N: i 

^The Marches couKi make out: thefe having Severn crofi'd, 

* And up to Cotfwold come, they heard the northern hoft, ' 

* Being at Northampton then, itfelf towards Warwick wayc^ J 

* When with a fpeedy march, the Herberts.that forlay'd [ 

* Their paflage, charg'd their rear with near two thoufend 

horfe, 
« That the Lancaftrian part fufpefting all their force 
« Had followed them again, their army bring about, 

* < Both with fuch fpeed and (kill, that ere the Wellhgotout, 

* By having charged too far, fome of their vaward loft, 

< Beat to their army back ; thus as thefe legions coaft, 

* On Danemore they are met, indifferent for this war, 

« Whereas three eafy hills that ftand triangular, , 

* Small Edgcoat overlook ; on that upon the weft 

* The Welfli encamp tbemfelves ; the northern them poflcft 

* Of that upon the fouth, whilft (by war's ftrange event) . 
« Young Nevil, who would brave the Herberts in their tent, 

* Leading a troop of youth, (upon that fatal plain) i 
' Was taken by the Welfh, and miferably flain, 

* Of whofe untimely death, his friends the next day took , 
« A terrible revenge, when Stafford there forfook i 

* The army of the Welfh, and with his archers bad » 
' Them fight that would for him ; for that proud Pern-. 

broke had . 

< Difplac*d him of his inn, in Banbury, where he 

* His paramour had lodged ; where fince Ke might not be, . 

* He backward fhapes his courfe, and leaves the Herberts 

there, 

* T* abide the brunt of all : with outcries every where - 

* Tlie clamorous drums and fifes to the rough charge do 

found, 
« Together horfe and man come tumbling to the ground : 
■ * Then limbs like boughs were lopM, from fhoulders arms 
do fly ; 

* They fight as none could 'fcape, yet 'fcape as none could 

die, 

* The ruffling northern lads,and the flout Welfhmcn try'^it; 

* Then head-pieces hold out, or brains niuft fore abide it. 



SONG THE TWENTY-SECOND. ioa9 

The northern nnien St. George for Lancafter do cry : ' 
A Pembroke for the king, the lufty Welfh reply ; 
When many a gallant youth doth defperately aflay. 
To do fomething that might be worthy of the day : 
Where Richard Herbert bears into the northern prefs, ■ 
And with his pole-ax makes his way with fuch fuccefs, ' 
That breaking thro* the ranks, he their main battle paft. 
And quit it fo again, that many flood aghaft. 
That froni the higher ground beheld him wade the crowd,' 
As often ye behold in tempefts rough and proud, 
O'ertaken with a ftorm, fome fhell or litde'aea. 
Hard labouring for the land, on the high-working fea^ 
Seems now as fwallowM up, then floating light and free' 
G'th' top of fome high wave ; then think that you it fee 
Quite funk beneath that waftc of waters, yet doth clear 
The main, and fafely gets fome creek or harbour near : 
So Herbert clear'd their hoft •, but fee th* event of war. 
Some fpials on the hill difcerned had from far 
Another army come to aid the northern fide. 
When they which Clapham's craft, fo quickly not efpy'cj, ' 
Who with five hundred men about Northampton rais'd^ ■ 
All difcontented fpirits, with Edward's rule difpleas'd, 
Difplaying in the field great Warwick's dreaded bear : 
The. Welfh who thought the earl in perfon had been thcre^ 
Leading a greater power (dilhearten'd) turn the back 
Before the northern hofl, that quickly go to wreck. 
Five thoufand valiant Welfli are in the chafe overthrown. 
Which but an hour before had thought the day their own. 
Their leaders (in the flight) the high-born Herberts ta'en. 
At Banbury mufl pay for Henry Nevil flain. 
*Now Stamfdrd indue courfe, the mufe doth come to tell, 
' Of thine gwn named field, what in the fight befel, 
' Betwixt brave youthful Wells, from Lincolnfhire that led 

* Near twenty thoufand men, tow' rd London making head, 
' Againfl the Yorkifls' power, great Warwick to abet, 

* Who with a.puiflant force prepared forth to fct, 

' To join with him in arms, and joindy take thdr chance. 

* And Edward with his friends, who likewife do advance 



lo^o P O LT^O L BIO Nt 

His forces, to rcfel that defp*rate daring foe^ ; 
Who for he durft himfelf in open arms tofhdw. 
Nor at his dread command them down again would lay. 
His fethcr the lord Wells, who he fuppOsM might fway 
His fo outrageous fon, with his lov'd law- made brother, 
Sir Thomas Dymock, thought too much to rule the other. 
He ftrangely did to die, which fo incensed the Ipleen 
Of this courageous youth, that he to wreak his teene 
Upon the cruel king, doth every way excite 
Him to an equal field, that come where thejr might fmite 
The batde : on this plain it chanc'd their armies met : 
They rangM their feveral fights, which once in order fet. 
The loudly-brawling drums, which feemed to have fear'd 
The- trembling air at firft, foon after were not heard. 
For out-cries, fhrieks, and fhouts, whilfl: noife doth noife 

confound. 
No accents touch the car, but fuch as deadi do found ^ 
In thirfting for revenge, whilfl: fury them doth guide : 
As flaughter feems by turns to feize on either fide. 
The fouthern expert were, in all to war belong. 
And exerdfe their (kill, the Marchmen fliout and llrong, 
Which to the battle flick, and if they make retreat. 
Yet coming on again, the foe they back do beat. 
And Wells for Warwick cry, and for the rightful crown ; 
The other call a York to beat the rebels down : 
The worfl: that war could do, on either fide (he fhows, 
Or by the force of bills, or by the fl:rength of bows ; 
But fUll by frelh fuppUes, the Yorkifts* power increafe : 
And Wells, who fees his troops fo over- born with prcfs, 
By hazarding too far into the boifl:'rous throng. 
Encouraging his men the adverfe troops among. 
With many a mortal wound,, his wearied breaAexpirM: 
Which fooner known to his, than his firft: hopes defir*d. 
Ten thoufand on the earth before them lying flain. 
No hope left to repair their ruin'd ftate again, 
Caft off their country's coats, to hafl:e their fpeed aways 
(Of them) which Loofe-coat field is callM (even) to this 

day. 

* Since 



] 



SONG. THB TWEN^TY-&E€QNP. ,09J 

* Since necd*fly I muft ftick upon my fornijer text„ 

, * The bloody battle fought at Barnet foUoweth next, 
lljj * 'Twixt Edward, who before he fettled was to reign, * 
^ * By Warwick hence expulsM •, but here arrived again, 
jj * From BuFgutidy brought in munition, men and pay, 
3 • And all things fit for war, expefting yet a day. >' 

* Whofe brother ^ George came in, with Warwick that 
had ftood, 

* Whom nature wrought at length t'adhere to his own blood; 
J * His brother Richard duke of Glo'fter, and his friend 

* Lord Haftii^s, who to him their utmoft powers extend i^ 
y * And Warwick, whofe great heart fo mortal hatred bore 
fi * To Edward, that by all the facraments he fworc, 

. * Not to lay down his arms, until his fword had raz'd 
^ • That proud king from his fe.at, that fo had him difgrac'd r 
I * And marquis Mountacute, his brother, that brave ftem 
{ * Of Nevil's noble flock, who joined had to them 

^ The dukes of Somerfer, and Exeter, and take 
} ' The earl of Oxford in ; the armies forward make, 

* And meeting on the plain, to 6arnet very near, 

* That to this very day, i$ called Gladmoie there. 

' Duke Richard to the field, doth Edward's vaward brings 

* And in the middle came tbafmoft courageous king, 

* With Clarence his reclaim'd, and brother then moft dear j 

* His friend lord Haftings had the guiding of the rear, 

* (A man of whom the king moft highly did repute.) 

* On puiflant Warwick's part, the marquis Mountacute 
' His brother and his friend the earl of Oxford led 

^- The right wing; and the left which moft that day might 
fted, 

* The duke of Exeter •, and he himfelf do guide 

* The middle fight (which was the army's only pride) 

* Of archers moft approved, the beft that he could get, 

* Direfted by his friend the duke of Somerfet. 

* O fabbath ill beftowM, O dreary Eafter-day, 

* In which (as fome fuppofe) the fun doth ufc to play, 

Bbbb ^In 

^ George duke of Clarence. 



^092 POL r^O L B 10 N: 

* In honour of that God for finful man that dyM, 

* And rofe on that third day, that fun which now doth hide 

* His face in foggy mifts ; nor was that morning feen, 

* So that the fpace of ground thofe angry hofts between, 

* Was oyerfhadow'd quite with darknefs, which fo caft 

* The armies on both fides, that they each other paft, 
^ Before they could perceive advantage where to fight ; 

* Befides the envious mift fo much deceived their fight, 

* That where eight hundred men, which valiant Oxford 

brought, 
*^Wore comets on their coats : great Warwick's force 
which thought 

* They had king Edward's been, which fo with funs were 

dreft, 
^ Firfl: made their (hot at them, who by their friends diftreft, 

* Conftrained were to fly, being fcatter'd here and there. 

* But when this direful day at laft began to clear, 

* King Edward then beholds that height of his firft hopes, 

* Whofe prefence gave frefh life to his oft-fainting troops, 

* Prepar'd to fcourge his pride, there daring to defy 
^ His niercy, to the hoft proclaiming pubiickly 

* His hateful breach of faith, his perjury, and fliame, 

* And what might make him vile; fo Warwkk heard that 

name 

* Of York, which in the field he had fo oft advanced, 

* And to that glorious height, and greatnefs had inhanc'd, 

* Then cry'd againft his power, by thofe which oft had fled, 

* Their fwift purfuing foe, by him not bravely led, 

* Upon the enemy's back, their fwords bath'd in the gore 

* Of thofe from whom they ran, like heartlefs men before, 

* Which Warwick's nobler name injurioufly defy'd, 

* Even as the ireful hoft then joined fide to fide. 

* Where cruel Richard charg'd the earl's main battle, when 
Proud Somerfet therein, with his approved men 

* Stood ftoutly to the Ihock, and flang out fuch a flight 

* Of fliafts, as well-near feem'd t'eclipfe the welcom'd light, 

* Which forc'd them to fall off, on whofe retreat again, 
^ That great battalion next approacheth the fair plain, 

t Wherein 



SONG THE TWENTY^SECOND.:ip93 

* Wherein the king himfelf in perfon was to try, 

* Proud Warwick*s utmoft ftrength : when Warwick by 

and by 

* With his left wing came up, and charged fo home and 

round, 
« That had not his light horfe by difvantageous ground 
« Been hinder^, he had ftruck the heart of Edward's holt: 
c But finding his defeat, his enterprise fo loft, 

< He his fwift couriers fends,, to will his valiant brother, 

* And Oxford, in command being equal to the other, 

< To charge with the right wing, who bravely up do bear j 

< But Haftings that before raught thither with his rear, 

« And with king Edward join'd, the hoft too ftrongly arm'd. 

f When every part with fpoil, with rape, with fury charm*d, 

« Are prodigal of blood, that flaughcer feems to fwill 

« Itfelf in human gore, and every one cries kill. 

« So doubtful and fo long the battle doth abide, 

« That thofe, which to and fro,'twixt that and London ride, 

* That Warwick wins the day for ciertain news do bring, 

* Thofe following them again, faid certainly the king, 
,* Until great Warwick found his army had the worfe, 
^ And fore began to faint, alighting from his horfe, 

* In with the foremoft puts, and wades into the throng ; 

* And where he faw death ftern'ft, the murder'd troops 

aniong, - 
« He ventures ; as the fun in a tempeftuous day, 
< Withdarknefs threatened long, yet fometimes doth difplay 
« His chearful beams,- which fcarce appear to the cWar eye, 
« But. fuddenly the clouds, which on the winds do fly, 

* Do muffle him again within them, till at length 

' The.ftorm (prevailing ftill with an unufual ftrength) 

* His clearnefs quite doth clofe, and ftiut him up in night: 

* So mighty Warwick fares in this outrageous fight. 

* The cruel lions thus inclofc the dreaded bear, 
^ Whilft Mountacute, who ftrives (if any help there were) 

* To refcue his belov*d and valiant brother, fell 2 

^ The lofs of two fuch fpirits at once, time ihall not tell • 
B b b b ^ < The 



16^4 P L r^ L B 10 N: 

'^ The duke of Somerfet, and th*earl of Oxford fled, 

* And Exeter being left for oYie amongft the dead, 

* At length recovering life, by night efcap'd away ; 
^ York never fafely fat, *till this vidlorious day. 

* Thus fortune to his end this mighty Warwick brings, 

* This puiflant fetter-up, and plucker-down of kings. 

* He who thofe battles won, which fo much blood had coft, 
^ At Barnet's fatal fight, both life and fortune loft. 

* Now Tewkfbury it refts, thy ftory to relate, 

^ Thy fad and dreadful fight, and that moft direftil fate 
< Of the Lancaftrian line, which happened on that day 
« Fourth of that fatal month, that ftill-remember'd May \ 

* *Twixt Edmund that brave duke of Somerfet who fled 

* FromBarnet's bloody field, (again there gathering head) 
^ And marquis Dorfet bound in blood to aid him there, 

* With Thomas Courtney earl of powerful Devonlhire : 

^ With whom king Henry's fon, young Edward there 
was feeji, 

* To claim his doubtlefs right, with that undaunted queen 

* His mother, who from France with fuccours came on land 

* That day when Warwick fell atBarnet, which now ftand, 
« Their fortune yet to try upon a fecond fight. 

* And Edward who employ*d the utmoft of his might, 

* The poor Lancaftrian part (which he doth easMy ftel, ' 
^ By Warwick's mighty fall, already faintly reel) 

* By battle to fubvert, and to extirp the line •, 

* And for the prefent dft, his army doth aftign 
^ To thofe at Barnet field fo luckily that fped •, 

^ As Richard late did there, he here the vaward led, 
^ The main the king himfelf, and Clarence jook to giude'j 
^ The rearward as before by Haftings was fupply'd. 
♦ Tli^ army of the queen, into three battles caft, 

* The firft of which the duke of Somerfet, and (faft 

* To him) his brother John do happily difpofe ; 

* The fecpnd, which the prince for bis own fafcty chofe 

* The barons of St. John^ and Wenlock ; and the third, 
> Xo Courtney thgt brave ear} of Devonfliire refcr'd. 



SONOTbEtWENTY-SJECOND. lO^S 

* Where in a fpacious field they fet their armies down i 

* Behind j hard at their backs, the abbey and the town, 

' To whom their foe muft come, by often banks andftcep, 

* Thro* quickfet narrow lanes, cut out with ditches deep^ 

* Repulfing Edward's power^ conftraining him to prove 

* By thundering cannon-fhot, and culverinj to remove 

* Them from that chofen ground, fo tedious to af&il ; 

* And with the (hot came fliafts, like ftormy fhowers of hailt 

* The hkc they fent again, which beat the other fore^ 

* Who with the ordnance ftrove the Yorkifts to out-roar^ 

* And ftill make good their ground, that whilft the pieces 

play, 

* The Yorkifts hafting ftill to hand-blows, do aflay 

' In ftfong and boift'rous crowds to fcale the €umb*roU3 
. dikes ; 

* But beSten down wifti bills, with pole-axes, and pikes^ 

* Are forced to fall off; when Richard there that led 

* The vawardj faw their ftrength fo little them to fted, 

* As he a captain was, both politick and good, 

* The ftratagems of war^ that rightly underftood, 

* Doth feem as from the field his forces to withdraw. 

« His fudden, ftrange retirci proud Somerfet that faw^ 
« (A man of haughty fpirit^ in honour moft precife ^ 

* In adtion yet far more adventurous than wife) 

« Suppofing from the field for fafety he had fled^ 

* Straight giveth him the chace ; when Richard turning heid^ 
« By his encounter let the defperatfe duke to know^ 

* 'Twas done to train him outj when foon began the fhow 

* Of flaughter every where j for fcarce their equal forces 

* Began the doubtful fightj but that three hundred horfes^ 

* That out of fight this while on Edward's part had ftaid, 

* To fee that near at hand no ambulhes were laid,* 

•* Soon charged them on the fide^ diford^ring quite their ranks, 

* Whilft this moft warlike king had won the clirpbing banks, 

* Upon the .gqual earth, and coming bravely in 

« Upon the adverfe power, there hkewife doth begin 

* A fierce and deadly fight, that the Lancaftrian fide, 

* The firft and furious fhock not able, to abide 

B b b b 3 « The 



X096 P L r-0 L B 1 1^: 

* The utmoft of their ftrength, were forced to beftow, 

* To hold what they had got; that S,>merfet below, 

* Who from the fecond force had ftiB expefted aid, 

* But fruftrated thereof, even as a man difmay'd, 

* Scarce (hifts to fave himfelf, his battle overthrown \ 

* But faring as a man that frantick had been grown, 

* With Wenlock hapM to meet (preparing for his flight) 

* Upbraiding him with terms of bafenefs and defpighc, 
' That cow'rdly he had fail'd to fuccour him with men: 

* Whilft Wenlock with like words requiteth him again, 

* The duke (to his ftern rage, as yielding up the reins) 

^ With his tQO ponderous ax dafh'dout the baron^s brains. 
' The party of the queen in every place are kill'd, 

* The ditches with the dead, confufedly are fiU'd, 

* And many in the flight, i'th neighbouring rivers drownM, 
' Which with viftorious wreaths, the conquering Yorkifts 

crown'd. 

* Three thoufand of thofe men, on Henry's part that ftood, 

* For their prefumption paid the forfeit of their blood, 

* John marquefs Dorfet dead, and Devonfliire that day 

* Drew his laft: vital breath, as in that bloody fray, 

* Delves, Hamden, Whittingham, and Leuknor, who 

had there, 

* Their feveral brave commands, all valiant men that were,. 

* Found dead upon the earth. Now all is Edward's own, ^ 

* And through his enemies tents he march'd into the town, 

* Where quickly he proclaims, to him that forth could 

bring 

* Young Edward, a large fee, and as he was a king, 

* His perfon to be fafe. Sir Richard Crofts who thought 
^ His prifoner to difclofe, before the king then brought 
*,That fair and goodly youth ; whom when proud York. 

demands, ' , 

* Why thus he had prefum'd by help of trayt'rous hands 

* His kingdom to difl:urb, and impioufly difplay'd, 

' His enfigns : the ftout prince as not a jot difmay'd 

* With Confidence replies. To claim his ancient right, 

' Him from his grandfires left j by tyranny and might, 

• By 



SONG THE TWENTY.8EC(>ND^}io97 

* By him his foe ufurp'd 2 with whofe fo bojd reply^ 

* Whilft Edward throughly vext > doth feem to thruft him by i 

* His fecond brother George^ and Richard near that ftood^ 

* With many a cruel ftab let out his princely blood •, 

* In whom the line dired of Lancafter doth ceafe, 

* And Somerfet himfelf furprized in the prefs 5 

* With many a worthy man, to Glo'fter prifoners led, 

* There forfeited their lives : queen Margaret being fled 
V To a religious cell, (to Tewfkbury too near) 

* Difcover'd to the king, with fad and heavy chear, 

* A prifpner was convey'd to London, woful queen, 

* The laft of all her hopes, that buried now had fcen. 

* But of that outrage here, by that bold baftard fort 

* Of Thomas Nevil, nam'd lord Falconbridge, which won 

* A rude rebellious rout in Kent and Eflex raised, 

* Who London here befi^g'd, and Southwark having feiz'd, 

* Set fire upon the bridge : but when he not prevailed, 

* The fuburbs on the eaft he furiouQy aflayrd j 

* But by the city's power was laftly put to flight : 

* Which being no fet field, nor yet well order'd fight, 

* Amongft our battles here, may no way reckoned be. 

* Then, Bofworth, here the mufe'now laftly bids for thee^ 

* Thy battle to defcribe, the laft of that long war, 

* Entitled by the name of York and Lancafter 5 

* *Twixt Henry Tudor earl of Richmond only left 

* Of the Lancaftrian line, who by the Yorkifts reft 

* Of Hberty at home, a baniftiM man abroad, 

* In Britany had livM -, but late ^t Milford road, 

.* Being profperoufly arriv'd, though fcarce two thoufand 
ftrong, 

* Made out his way through Wales, where as he came along, 

* FirftGrifBth great in blood, then Morgan next doth meet 
. * Him, with their feveral powers, as offering at his feet 

* To lay their lands, and lives ; fir Rice ap Thomas then, 

* With his brave band of Welfh, moft choice and expert 

men, . • 

* Comes laftly to his aid; at Shrewft)ury arriv*d, 

* (His hopes fo faint before, fo happily revived) 

B b b b 4 • He 



1098 ? d i r-d L B to N: 

* He on for England makes, and near to Newport town, 

* The next enfuing night fetting his army down, 

* Sir Gilbert Talbot ftill for Lancafter that ftood, 

* (To Henry near ally *d in fricndfhip as in blood) 

* From th'earl of Shrewfbury his nephew (under age) 

* Came with two thoufand men, in warlike equipage, 

* Which much his power increasM ; when eafily letting ofli 

* From Litchfield^ as the way Idads forth to Athcrfton, 

* Brave Bourcher and his friend ftout Hungerford, whofc 

hopes 

* On Henry long had lain, ftealing from Richard^s troops, 

* (Wherewith they had been mix*d) to Henry do appear, 

* Which with a high refolve, moft ftrangely feem*d to chear 

* His oft-appalled heart, but yet the man which nK)ft 

* Gave f^l to Henry's felf, and frefti life to his hoft, 
^ The ftout lord Stanley was, who for he had afiy*d 

* The mother of the earl, to him fo near ally*d : 

* The king who fear'd his truth, (whkh he to have com- 

peird) 

* The young lord Strange his fon, in hoftage ftrongly held, 

* Which forc'd him to fall off, till he fit place could find, 

* His fdn-in-law to meet ; yet he with him combined 

* Sir William Stanley, know to be a valiant knight, 

* T'aflTure him of his aid. Thus growing towards his height^ 

* A moft fcleded band of Chefliire bow-men came, 

* By fir John Savage led, befides two men of name s 

* Sir Brian Sanford, and fir Simon Digby, who 

* Leaving the tyrant king, themfelves exprefly Ihow 

* Faft friends to Henry's part, which ftill his power increased f 

* Both afmies well prcpar'd, towards Bofworth ftrongly 

preft, 
*AndonafpaciGUs moor, lying fouthward from the town, 
^Indifferent to them both, they fet their armies down 
« Their foldiers to refrefh, preparing for the fight : 
< Where to the guilty king, that black fore-running night, 

* Appear the dreadful ghofts of Henry and his f(.»n, 

* Of liis own brother George, and his two nephews done 

* ' * Moft 



SONG T«B TWENTY-SfiCOND. 1099 

^ Mod cruelly to death -, and of his wife and friend^ 

* Lord Haftings, with pale hands {)repar*d as thfey would 

rend 
« Him picce-rtieal j at which oft he roareth in hh fleep. 

* No fooner *gan the dawn out of the eaft to fteep, 

* But drums and trumpets chide the foldiers to their amns, 

« And all the neighbouring fields are covered with the fwarms 

* Of thofe that came to fight, as thofe that came to fee, 

* (Contending for a crown) whole that great day (houldbe. 

< Firflr, Richmond rang'd his fights^ on Oxford and 
beftows 
« The leading, with a band of ftrong and finewy bows 

* Out of the army pick'd 5 the front of all the field, 
« Sir Gilbert Talbot next, he wifely took to weild, 

* The right wing, with his ftrengths, moft northern men 

that were 5 
«,And fir John Savage, with the power of Lancafliire, 

* And Chefliire (chief of men) was for the left wing plac'd : 

* The middle battle he in his fair perfon grac'd 5 

* With him the noble earl of Pembroke, who commands 
•Their country-men the Wellh, (of whom it mainly ftands, 

* For their great numbers found to be of greateft force) 

* Which but his guard of gleaves, confifted all of horfe. 

• Into two feveral fights the king contrived his ftrength, 

* And his firft batde caft into a wondrous length, 

* In fafliion of a wedge, in point of which he fet 

* His archery, thereof and to the guidance let 

* Of John the noble duke of Norfolk, and his fon 

* Brave Surrey : he himfclf the fecond bringing on, 

* Which was a perfect fquare j and on the other fide, 

* His horfemcn had for wings, which by extending wide, 

* The adverfe fecm'd to threat, with an unequal power. 

* The utmoft point arrived of this expedled hour, 

* He to lord Stanley fends, to bring away his aid ; 
' And threats him by an oath, if longer he delayed 

* His eldeft fon young Strange immediately fhould die, 

* To whom ftout Stanley thus doth carelefsly reply : 

•Tell 



iroo POL r^O L B 10 N: 

* Tell thou the king Til come, when I fit time flmll (ee, 

* I love the boy, but yet I have more Ions then he. 

* The angry armies meet, when the thin air was rent, 

* With fuch re-echoing fhouts, from either foldiers fent, 

* That flying o'er the field the birds down trembling dropt 

* As fome old building long that hath been underpropt, 
' When as the timber fails, by the unweildy fall, 

* Even into powder beats, the roof, and rotten wall, 

* And with confufed clouds of fmouldring duft doth choak 

* The ftreets and places near; fo through the mifty fmoak, 

* By (hot and ordnance made, a thundring noife was heard. 

* When Stanley that this while his fuccours had defer'd, 

* Both to the cruel king, and to the earl his fon, 

* When once he doth perceive the battle was begun, 

* Brings on his valiant troops, three thoufand fully ftron^ 

* Which like a cloud far ofi^, that tempeft threatened long, 

* Palls on the tyrant's hoft, which him with terror ftruck, 

* As alfo when he fees, he doth but vainly look 

* For fuccours from the great Northumberland, this while^ 

* That from the battle fcarce three quarters of a mile, 

* Stood with his power of horfe, nor once was feen to flir: 

* When Richard (that th'event no longer would defer) 

< The two mmn battles mix'd, and that with wearyM breath, 

* Some laboured to their life, fome laboured to their death, 

< (There for the better fought) even with a fpirit elate, 
« As one that inly fcornM the very worft that fate 

* Could poflibly impofe, his launce fet in his reft, 

* Into the thick' ft of death, through threatening peril preftj 
■ * To where he had perceived the earl in perfon drew, 

* Whofe ftandard-bearer he, fir William Brandon, flew, 

* The pile of his ftrong ftaff into his arm-pit fent -, 

* When at a fecond ftiock, down fir John Cheney went, 

* Which fcarce a launce's length before the earl was placed, 

* Until by Richmond's guard, invironed at laft, 

* With mapy a cruel wound, was through the body gride, 

* Upon this fatal field, John duke of Norfolk dy'd ; 

* The fl:out lord Ferrers fell, and Ratclifi^, that had long 

* Of Richard's counfels been, found in the field an'.ong 

' A 



SONG THE TWENTV-SECOND/iioi 

« A thoufand foldiers that on both fides here were flain, 
« O Red-more, it then feem'd, thy name was not in vaiOf 

* When with a thoufand^s blood the earth was coloured red.- 

* Whereas th'imperial crown was fet on Henry's head, 

* Being found in Richard's tent, as he it there did win ; 

* The cruel tyrant ftripM to the bare naked flcin, 

* Behind a herald trufs'd, was back to Le'fter fent, 

' From whence the day before he to the battle w^nt. 

* The battle then at Stoke, fo fortunately ftruck, 

*(Upon king Henry's part, with fo fuccefsflil luck, 

* As never till that day he felt his crown to cleave 

* Unto his temples clofe, when Mars began to leave 

* His fury, and at laft to fit him down was brought) 

* I come at laft to fing, 'twixt that feventh Henry fought ( 

* With whom, to this brave field the duke of Bedford came, 

* With Oxford his great friend, whofe praife did him inflame 

* To all atchievements great, that fortunate had been 

* In every doubtful fight, fince Henry's coming in, 

* With th*earl of Shrewfbury, a man of great command,. 

* And hi^ brave fon lord George, for him that firmly ftand. 

' And on the other fide, John duke of Suffolk's fon, 
*(John earl of Lincoln call'd) who this ftern war begun, 

* Subbo'rning a lewd boy, a falfe impoftor, who 

^ * By Simonds a worfe prieft inftrufted what to do ; 

* Upon him took the name of th'earl of Warwick, heir , 

* To George the murther'd duke of Clarence, who (for feat 
*Left fome that favoured York, might under- hand m'aintam) 
' King Henry in the tower, did at time detain. . 
' ^ Which praftife fet on foot, this earl of Lincoln fail'd . 

* To Burgundy, where he with Margaret prevailed, 

* Wife to that warlike Charles, and his moft loved aunt, 

* Who vexed that a proud Lancaftrian fhould fupplant 

* The lawful line of York, whence ftie her blood deriv'd k 

* Wherefore for Lincoln's fake flie fpeedily contriv'd, 

* And ^ Lovel, that brave lord, before him fent to land 

* Upon the fame pretence, to furnilh them a band 

'Of 

K The dutchcfs of Burgundy was I fo was this earl's mother, 
fifter to Edward the fourth, and [ ^ The lord Francu Lav^l. 



JJ62 p tr-0 L B to Ni 

• Of Almains, and to them for their ftout captain gave 

• The valiant Martin Swart, the man thought fcarce to hav^ 

• His match for martial feats, and fent theni with a fleet 

• For Ireland, where fiie had appointed them to meet, 

• WithSimonds that lewd clerk, and Lambert, whom they 

j there 

• Tne earl of Warwick call*d, and publifti'd every where 
•His title to the crown, in DubHn, and proclaim 

• Him England's lawful king, by the fifth Edward's naipe ; 

• Then joining with the lord * Fitz-Gerald, to their aid 

• Who many Irifli brought^ they up their anchors weigh'di 

• And at the rocky pile of ^ Fowdray put to Ihore 

• In Lancafhire ; their power increafing more and more, . 

• By foldiers fent them in from * Broughton (for fupply) 

• A knight that long Had been of their confederacy ; 

• Who making thence, diredb their marches to the Ibuth^ 

^ When Henry faw himfelf fo far in danger's mouth, 

• From Coventry he came, ftill gathering up his hoft, 

• Made greater on his way, and doth the country coaftf 
•'Which way he underftood his enemies muli pals : 

• When after fome few days (as it their fortune was) 

• At Stoke^ a village near to Newark upon Trent, 

• Each in the other's fight pitch'd Sown their warlike tent- 

• Into one battle foon, the Almains had difpos^d 
« Their army in a place upon two parts indos*d 

• With dells, and fenced dykes (as they were expert men*) 
« And from the open fields king Henry's hoft again, 

« In three fair feveral fights came equally divided ; 

• The firft of which, and fit* ft, was given to be guided 

• By Shrewfljury, which moft of foldiers choice confiftedi 

• The others plac*d as wings, which ever as they lifted^ 
« Came up as need required, oi* fell back as they found 

• Juft caufe for their retire •, when foon the troubled ground^ 
^ On her black bofom felt the thunder, which awoke 

• Her genius, with the fhock that violently ftiook 

• Her 

* The lord Thomas Gcraldinr . I i Sir Tho. B; oughtoiw 
^ On the coaH of Lancafhire. I 



[^ 



€ 



SONG THB TWENTY.SECOND. iioj 

Her entrails ; this lad day when there ye might have fcen 
^ Two thoufand Almainsftand, erf" which each might have 
been 

* A leader for his ikill, which when the charge was. hot^ 
« That they could hardly fee the very fun for fhot, 

« Yet they that motion kept that perfect foldiers ftiould ; 

* That moft courageous Swart there might they well behold% 
^ With moft unufual fkill that defperate fight maintain, 

f And valiant Dc-la-Poole, moft like his princely ft rain, 
^ Did all that courage could, 6r noblefs might befit ; 
•And Lovell that brave lord, behind him not a whit, 
^ For martial deeds that day : ftout Broughton that hadftood 

* With York (even) from the firft, therelaftly gave his blood. 
^ To that well-foughten field : the poor trowzM Irifh there; 

* Whofe mantles ftood for mail, whofc fkins for corflets 

were, 

* And for their weapons had but Irilh fkains and darts, 

* Like men that fcorned death, with moft refolvcd hearts, 

* Give not an inch of ground, but all in pieces hewn, 

* Where firft they fought, they fell ; with them was over- 

thrown 

* The leader Gerald's hope, amidft his men that fought, - 

* And tookfuch part as they, whom he had thither broughf. 

* This of that field be told. There was not one that fled, 
*But where he firft was plac'd, there found alive or deadi 

* If in a foughten field a man his life (hould lofe, 

* To die as thefe men did, who would not gladly chufe, 

* Which full four thoufand were/ But in this tedious fong. 
The too laborious mufe hath tarried all too long. 

As for the Balck-fmith's rout, who did together rife^ 
Encamping on Black-heath, t' annul the fubfidies 
By parliament then given, or that of °* Cornwall call'd, 
Inclofures to caft down, which over-much inthral'd 
The fubjeft : or proud Ket*s, who with the fame pretence 
In Norfolk r^s*d fuch ftirs, as but with great expence 
Of blood was not appeas'd -, or that begun in Lent 
By ° Wyat and his friends, the marriage to prevent, 

/ That 

ft-^Jichacl Jofcph witb the Cp^naiOi tcWs. f Si|X Tto. "W^^^ 



i 



i 



1104/ ] t:o l r^o: lbi o.N: 

That Mary did intend with Philip king of Spain : ^ 

Since thefe but riots were, nor fit the other's ftrain^ 

She here her battles ends : and as (he did before. 

So travelling along upon her filent fliore, 

Waybridge a neighbouring nymph, the only remnant left ' 

Of all that foreft kind, by time's injurious theft 

Of all that trad: deftroy'd, with wood which did abound, 

And former times had feen the goodlieft foreft ground, 

'This ifland ever had : bucftie fo left alone. 

The ruin of her kind, and no man to bemoan. 

The deep intranred flood, as thinking to awake. 

Thus from her fhady bower (he filen'tly befpake : . |j 

. ' O flood in happy plight, which to this time remain'ft,' j 

> As ftill along in ftate to Neptune's court thou ftrain'ft^ 

* Revive thee with the thought of thofe forepaflfed hours, 

* When the rough wood- gods kept, in their delightful 

bowers 
4* On thy embroidered banks, when now this country fiUM 

* With villages, and by the labouring plowman till'd, 

* Was foreft, where the firr and fpreading poplar grew, 

* O let me yet the thought of thofe paft times renew, 

* When as that woody kind, in our umbrageous wild, 

* Whence every living thing fave only theyexil'd, 

* In this their world of wafte, the foverbign empire fway'd. 
5 O who would e'er have thought, thkt time couki have 

decay'd 
, VThofe trees whofe bodies feem'd by their fo mafTy weight, 

* To prefs the folid earth, and with their wondrous heighe 

* To climb into the clouds, their arms fo far to (hoot, 
"^ As they in meafuring were of acres, and their root, 

* With long and mighty fpurns to grapple with the land, 

* As nature would have faid, that they (hall ever ftand : 

* So that this place where now this Huntingdon is fet, 

* Being an eafy hill where mirthful hunters met, 

* From that firft took the name.* By this the mufe arrives 
At Ely's ifled marge, by having paft St. Ives, 

Unto the German fea flie hafteth her along. 

And here fhe(hutteth up her two and twentieth fong. 



SONG THE TWENTY-THIRa 1105 

In which fhe quite hath fpent her vigor, and muft now. 
As workmen often ufe, a while fit down and blow ; 
And after this (hort paufe, tho* lefs'ning of her height. 
Come in another key, yet not without delight. 



P O L r-0 L B I O N: 

SONG THE TWENTY.THIRD. 

The Argument. 

From furious fights invention comes^ 
Deafned with noife of rattling drums ^ 
And in the Northamptonian bounds^ 
Shows fFhittiewood'Sy and Sacy^s grounds^ 
Then to mount Helidon doth go^ 
(Whence Charwelly Leame^ andNen do flow) 
The furf ace which of England Jings^ 
AndNen down to the Wafhes lrings\ 
Then whereas Welland makes her way^ 
Shews Rockingham her rich array : 
A courfe at Kelmarfh then fhe takeSy 
Where fhe Northamptonftjire forfakes. 

ON towards the mid-lands now, th* induftrimis tnufe 
doth niake. 
The Northanriptonian earth, and in her ^ay doth take 
As fruitful every way, as thofe by nature, which 
The hufbandman by art, with compoft doth enrich. 
This boafting of herfelf ; that walk her verge about, 
. And view her well within,her breadth and length throughout: 
The worft foot of her earth is equal with their beft, 
With moft abundant ftore^ that highli^ft think them bleft. 

' When 



iio6 . ;P:0 i r-O L B i6:Nt^ 

When Whitdewood betime th' unwearied mvife doth wift 
To talk with her a while ; at her firft coming in^ 
The foreft thus that greets : ' ^yith more iuccefsful fate. 
Thrive then thy fellow nymphs, whofe fad and ruinous 

ftate 
We every day behold, if any thing there be. 
That from this general fall, thee happily may free, 
•Tis only for that thou doft naturally produce 
More under- wood and brake, than oak for greater ufe : 
But .when this ravenous age, of thofe hathite bereft, . 
Time wanting this our ftore, ftiall feize what thee is left. |S 
For what bafe avarice now enuceth men to do, I 

^NeccflUy in time (hall ftrongly urge^them to ; ' " " \ 

^Vhich each divining fpirit moft clearly doth forefee. * 

Whilft at this fpeech perplex'd, the foreft feem'd to be, I 
A water-nymph, near to thisgoodly wood-nymph's fide, 
(As towards her fovereign Qufe, fhe fofcly down doth Aide) B 
Tea, her delightfome ftream by Towcefter doth lead j 
And fporting her fweet felf in many a dainty mead,- E 

She hath not fallied far, but Sacy foon again 
Salutes her ; one much grac'd among the fylvan tr^: |l 
One whom the queen c^ (hades, the bright Diana oft / 

Hath courted for her looks, with kiffes fmooth and fofr. 
On her fair bofom lean'd, and tenderly embraced. 
And callM her, her dear heart, ipoft lov'd, andpnlychaftc: 
Yet Sacy after Tea, her aniorous eyes doth throw. 
Till in the banks of Qufe the brook herfelf beftow. 

Where in thofe fertile fields, the mufe doth hap to meet 
Upon that fide which fits the weft of Watling-ftreet, . 
With •Helidon a hill, which though it be but fmall, 
ComparM with their proud kind , which we our mountwn$ caDj 
Yet hath three famous floods, that out of him do flow. 
That to three fcveral feas', by their afliftants go ; 
Of which ihe nobleft, Nen,, to fair Northampton hies. 
By Oundle fallying on, then Peterborough plies 

Old 

« A hill not far from Davcntry, I 



SONG THE TWENTY-THIRD. 1107 

Old ** Medhamfted : where her the fea-maids entert^n. 
To lead her through the fen into the German main, . 

The fecond, Charwell is, at Oxford meeting Thames, 
Is by his king convey'd into the *" Celtick dreams. 
Then Leame as leaft, the laft, to mid-land Avon haftcs. 
Which flood again itfelf, into proud Severn calls : 
As on ^ th' Iberian fea, herfelf great Severn fpcnds ; 
So Leame the dower fhe hath, to that wide ocean lends* 

But Helidon wax*d proud, the happy fire to be 
To id renowned floods, as thefe fore-named three, 
Befides the hill of note, near England^s midft that ftands. 
Whence from his face, his back, or on his either hands. 
The land extends in breadth, or lays itfelf in length. 
Wherefore, this hill to (hew his ftate and natural ftrcngth. 
The furface of this part determineth to fhow, 
Which we now England name, and through her,tra£ls to go. 
But being plain and poor, profeifeth not that height. 
As falcon-like to foar, till lefs'ning to the fight. 
But as the fundry foils, his ftyle fo altering oft. 
As full expreflTions fit, or verfes fmooth and foft. 
Upon their feveral fcites, as naturally to ftram. 
And wifheth that thefe floods, his tunes to entertain. 
The air with Halcion calms, may wholly have pofleft. 
As though the rough winds tir'd, were eas'ly laid to reft. 
Then on the wortb'cft trad up tow'rds the mid-day's ^iv 
His undertaken talk, thus Helidon begun : 

^ From where the kingly Thames his itomachdoth dif- 
charge. 
To Dev(Hi&ire, where the land her bofom doth enlarge 1 
And with the inland air her beauties doth relieve. 
Along the Celtick fea, calPd oftentimes the Aecvc : 
Although upon the coaft the Downs appear but bore, 
Yet naturally witlun the countries woody are. 

Then Corn wal creepeth out into the weftem main^ 
As^lying in her eye) Ihe pointed (till at Spain : 

Cccc Or 

bT]ieanGientiiiiiieof{Petclrb<Hro%Ii. I 4 Tk Spaniih (ei, 
., « thciPrcncJifea., .1 



aio8 POL r-0 L B ION: 

Or.as the wanton foil, difpos'd to luftful reft. 

Had laid herfelf along on Neptune's amorous breaft. 

With De'nlhire, from the firm, that beak of land that fills, 
What landfkip lies in vales, and often rifing hills. 
So placM betwbct the French, and the Sabrinian feas. 
As on both fides adorn'd with many harb'rous bays. 
Who for their trade to fea, and wealthy mines of tin, 
From any other trad the praife doth clearly win. 

From De'nfliirc by thofe fhores, which Severn oft fur- 
rounds, 
The foil far lower fits, and mightily abounds 
Withfundry fort of fruits, as well-grown grafs and corn, 
That Somerfet may fay, her batning moors do fcorn 
Our England's richeft earth, for burden fhould therp ftaln; 
And on the felf-fame trad, up Severn's ftream again, 
,The vale of Euftiam lays her length fo largely forth. 
As jho* Ihe meant to ftretch herfelf into the north. 
Where ftill the fertile earth depreffed lies and low. 
Till her rich foil itfelf to Warwickfliire do fhow. 

Hence fomewhat fouth by eaft, let us our courfe incline, 
And from thefe fetting fhores fo meerly maritime. 
The ifle's rich inland parts, let's take with us along, 
To fet him rightly out, in our wcll-order'd fong •, 
Whole profpedls to the mufe their fundry fcites (hall (how, 
Where Ihe from place to place, as free as air fhall flow. 
Their fuperficies fo exadlly to defcry, 
rThrough Wiltfhire, pointing how the plain of Salifbury 
Shoots forth herfelf in length, and lays abroad a train 
So large, as though the land ferv'd fcarcely to contain 
Her vaftneis, north from her, himfelf proud CotfwouW 

vaunts. 
And cafts fo ftern a look about him, that he daunts 
The lowly vales, remote that fit with humbler eyes. 

In Berkftiire, and from thence into the Orient lies 
That moft renowned Vale of White-horfe, and by her, . 
So Buclungham ag^n doth Ailcfbury prefer. 
With any Englifti earth, along upon whofe pale. 
That mounting country thsp, which makcth her a vale^ 

TTie 



SONGtheTWENTY-THIRD. 110^ 

The chalky Chilterne, runs with beaches crownM about. 
Through Bedfordfliire that bears, till his bald fix)nt he flioor. 
Into that foggy earth towards Ely, that doth grow 
Much fenny, and furrounds with every little flow. 

So on into the eaft, upon the inland ground, 
From where that chryftal Colne moft properly doth bound. 
Rough Chilterne, from the foil, where in rich London fits, 
As being fair and flat it naturally befits 
Her greatnefs every way, which holdeth on along 
To the Eflexian earth, which likewife in our fong, 
Since in one traft they lie, we here together take, 
Altho' the feveral (hires, by fundry foils do make 
It difierent in degrees ; for Middlefex of fands 
Her foil compofed hath ; fo are th* Eflexian lands, 
Adjoining to the fame, that fit by Ifis* fide. 
Which London over-looks : but as flie waxeth wide. 
So Eflfex in her tides, her deep-grown marfhes drowns. 
And to inclofures cuts her drier upland grounds. 
Which lately woody were,whilft men thofe woods did prize ; 
Whence thofe fair countries lie, upon the pleafant rife, 
(Betwixt the mouth of Thames, and where Oufe roughly 

daflies 
Her rude unwieldy waves, againft the queachy waflies) 
Suffolk and Norfolk near, fo named of their fcites. 
Adorned every way with wonderfiil delights. 
To the beholding eye, that every where are feen. 
Abounding with rich fields, and pallures frefli and green. 
Fair havens to their fhores, large heaths within them lie. 
As nature in them 'ftrove to fliew variety. 

From Ely all along upon that eaftem fea, 
Thm Lincolnftiirc herfelf, in fliate at length do lay. 
Which for her fat^ning fens, her fifti, and fowl may have 
Preheminence, as (he that feemeth to out-brave 
All other fouthern (hires, whofe head the walhes feels» 
Till wantonly (he kick proud Humber with her heels. 
Up tow'rds the navel then, of England from her flank» 
hich Liocolnfiiire we call ib levelled and lank« 

C c c c 2 Northamptor^ 



^i 



xiio ^ P O L r^O L B 10 If: 

Northampton, Rutland then, and Huntingdon, which tfaate 

Do (hew by their full foils, all of one piece to be. 

Of Nottingham a part, as Lc'fter them is lent. 

From Bever's bat* ning vale, along the banks of Trent. 

So on the other fide, into the fca again. 

Where Severn towards the fea from Shrewfbury doth ftraii^ 

*Twixt which and Avon's banks (where'Arden when of old 

Her bufhy curled front, (he bravely did uphold. 

In ftate and glory ftood) now of three feveral fliires. 

The greateft portions lie, upon whofe earth appears 

That mighty foreft's foot, of Wor*fter(hire a part. 

Of Warwickftiire the like, which fometime was the heart 

Of Arden that brave nymph, yet woody here and there,. 

Oft intermixed with heaths, whofe fand and gravel bear 

A turf more harfh and hard, where Stafford doth partake 

In quality with thofe, as nature ftrove to make 

Them rfohe felf-fame fluff, and mixture, as they lie. 

Which likewife in this trad, we here together tie. 

From thefe recited parts to th' north, more high and 
bleak. 
Extended ye behold, the Moorland and the Peak, 
From cither's feveral fcite, in either*s mighty wafte, 
A fterner louring eye, thftt every way do caft 
On their beholding hills, and countries round about i 
Whofe foils as of one ihape, appearing clean throug^ut. 
For Moreland which with heath moft naturally doth betf) 
Her winter livery ftill, in fummer feems to wear ; 
As likewife doth the Peak, whofe dreadful caverns founds 
And lead-mines, that in her, do naturally abound^ 
Her fuperficies makes more terrible to (how : 
So from her natural fount, as Severn down doth floWg 
The high Salopian hills lift up their rifing iatls : 
Which country as it is the near'ft ally'd to WaleSj 
In mount!^ns, . fo it. nioft is to the faitie alike. 

Now tow'his the Jrifh feas a litde let us ftrike. 
Where Cheihire, (as her choice) with Lancaihire doth lie 
Along th* uhielrel'd Ihdrts j thii former to thfe eyfe, 

... jii 

5 Sec Song 13th; . 



SOJ^Gtse TWENTY-THIRD. xiii 

In her complexion jQiows black: earth with gravel mix'd, 

A wdbd-land and a plain indifferently betwixt, 

A good faft-fceding grafs, moft ftrongly that doth ferced : 

As Ltncafliire no lefs excelling for her feed. 

Although with heath, and fin, her upper parts abound ; 

As likewife to the fca, upon the lower ground, 

•With mofles, fleets, and fells, (he fhows moft wild and 

rough. 
Whole turf, and fquare cut peat, is fuel good Enough. 
So, on the north of Trent, from Nottingham aboye. 
Where Sherwood hcrcurlM front, into the cold doth ftiove. 
Light foreft land is found, to where the floating Dbl>,- ' 
la riteking towards die main, her Doncafter hatfi woii, " 
Where Yorkfliire's laid abroad, fb many a mile extent,/ 
To whom preceding times, the grcateli circuit lent, ' ' 
A province, then a fhire, which rather feemeth : Co ' 
It incidently nioft variety doth fliow. 
Were ftony fteril grounds, there wond'rous fruitful fields^ 
Here ehampain, and there wood, it in abundance yields : 
Th* Weft-riding, and the North, be mountainous andi^gh. 
But towards the German ica the Eaft n[X)re low doth-lfc.- • 
•This* ifle hath not that earth, of any kmd elfewhcre, ' ' * 
But on this part or that, epitomized here. 

Tow'rds thofe Scotch-Irifh ifles, upon that fca again,' 
The rough Virgivian call'd, thattraa which doA cdncab 
Cold Cuniberland, which yet wild Weftmoreland cxceft. 
For roughnefs, at whofe point lies rugged Fournefs FcUs, 
Is fiird with mighty moors, and mountains, which do m^ce 
Her wild fuperfluous wafte, as nature iport did take • 
In heaths, and high<leev*d hills, whofe threatning -fronts 

do dare 
Each other with thdr looks, as though they would out-ftare 
The ftarry eyes of hea.ven, which to out-fece they ftand. 

From thefe into the eaft, upon the other hand. 
The Bifhoprick, and fair Northumberland do bear 
To Scotland's bordering Tweed, which as the north elfe- 
• where, 

C c c c 3 Not 



1112 P O L r^OLB lONl 

Not very fenile are, yet with a lovely face 
Upon the ocean lode ^ which kindly doth enib'ace 
:Thoie countries all along, upon the riling fide, 
Whfch for the batful glebe, by nature them dcny'd. 
With mighty mines of coal^ abundantly are bleft. 
By which this traft remains renownM above the reft : • 
For what from her rich womb, each harb'rous road receives,* 

Yet Helidon not here, his lov*d defcription leaves, 
Tbpugh now his darling fprings defirM him to defift 5 
But lay all what they can, he*ll do but what he lift. 
As he the furface thus, fo likewife will he.fhow, 
T|>e clownifti blazons, to each country long ^o, 
Which thofe unlettered times, with blind devotion lent, 
Before the learned maids our /ount^s did frequent. 
To ihew the mufe can Ihift her habit, and flie now 
Of P^la^ins that fung, can whiftle to the plow ; 
And let the curious tax his clownry, with their Ikill 
, JHEe r^olps not, but goes on, and fay they what they will 
: >: * '^ Kent firft in our account, doth to it felf apply, 
^ iCQuoth he) this blazon firft. Long tails and liberty. 
Si^ex: vith Surrey lay, ^^henkt us lead home logs. 
As Hampftiire long for her, hath had the term of Hogs. 
So Dorfetfhire of long, they Dorfers us'd to call, 
Cornwal and Devonfliire cry, We^ll wreftlefor a fall. 
.iThjen Somerfet %s. Set the bandog 4in the bull. 
An^ Glo'fterihire again is blazon'd. Weigh thy wool. 
As Berkfhire hath for hers. Lets to^t and tofs the ball. 
And Wiltfliire will for her. Get home and pay for aU. 
Rich Buckingham doth bear the term of Bread and beeff 
Where if you beat a bujh^ *tis odds you ftart a thief. 
So Hertford blazonM is, The club^ and clouted fhoon^ 
Thereto, Pll rife betime^ andfleep again at noon. 
When jVliddlefex bids. Up to London let us go^ 
And when our market^ s done^ we* II have a pot or two. 
As Eflex hath of old been named, Calves andfiiles. 
Fair Suffolk, Matds and fnilk^ and Norfolk, Many wiles. 
So Cambridge hath been caird, Hold net s^ and let us wi^\ 

And 
* The bla90i» of the fluns. 



1 



SON-G THE TWENTY-THIRD. 1113 

And Huntingdon, Witbjiilts weHlfialk through thick and 

thin. 
Northamptonlhire of long hath had this blazon, Love^ 
Below the girdle all^ hut little elfe above. 
An outcry Oxford makes, T'he fcholars have been bere^ 
And little though they paidy yet have they had good cheer^ 
Quoth warlike Warwickfhire, Fll bind thejlurdy bear. • 
Quoth Wor'fterfhire again, And I will /quirt the pear. 
Then StafFordfhire bids Siay^ and I will beet the Jire^ 
And nothing will I ajk^ but good will for my hire. 
Bean belly Le'fterlhire, her attribute doth bear. 
And Bells and bag-pipes next, belong to Lincolnfliirc. 
Of Malt'horfe^ Bedfordfhire long fince the blazon wan. 
And litde Rutlandlhire is termed Raddleman. 
To Derby is affign'd the name of IFool and lead. 
As Nottingham's, of old (is common) Ale and bread. 
So Hereford for her fays. Give me woof and warp. 
And Shropfhire faith in her, Thatfhins be ever fharp^ 
Lay wood upon the fir e^ reach hither me my harp^ 
Andwhilji the black howl walks j we merrily will carp. 
Old Chefhire is well known to be the Chief of men. 
Fair women doth belong to Lancalhire again. 
The lands that over Oufe to Berwick forth do bear. 
Have for their blazon had the Snaffle^ fpur^ andfpear^ 
Now Nen extreamly griev'd thofc barbarous things to 
hear. 
By Helidon her fire, that thus delivered were : 
For as his eld'ft, fhe was to paffed ages known. 
Whom by Aufona's name the Romans did renown. 
A word by them deriv'd of Avon, which of long 
The Britains callM her by, exprefling in their tongue 
The full and general name of waters ; wherefore flic 
Stood much upon her worth, and jealous grew to be. 
Left things fo low and poor, and now quite out of date. 
Should happily impair her dignity and ftatc. 
Wherefore from him her fire immediately ftie haftes j 
And as flie forth her courfe to Peterborough cafts, 

Cccc 4 She 



iiH P L r^O L B I O Nt 

She fallcth in her way with Wcedon, where 'tis laid. 
Saint Werburg princely bom, a moft religious maid, 
FronD thofe peculiar fields, by prayer the wild-geefe drove, 
Thence through the champain Ihe lafcivtoufly doth rove 
Towards fair Northanipton, which, whilft Nen waa Avo» 

caird, 
RefumM that happy name, as happily inftall'd • 
Upon her ^ northern fide, where taking in a rill. 
Her long impoveriftiM banks more plenteoufly to fill. 
She flourifhes in ftate, along the fruitful fields ; 
Where whilft her waters (he with wondrous pleafure y\iAd% 
To ^ Wellingborough comes, whofe fountains in jBie takes, 
Which quickening her again, immediately fhe makes 
To Oundle, which receives contradtedly the found 
From Avondale, t'exprefs that river's loweft ground : 
^o Peterborough thence (he maketh f6nh her way. 
Where Welland hand in hand, goes on with her to fea ; 
When Rockingham, the rtiufe to her fair foreft brings, 
Thence lying to the north, whole fundry gifts fhe fings. 
f O dear and dainty nymph, moft gorgeoufly array'd. 
Of all the Driades kno\^n, the Atoft delicious maid. 
With all delights adom*d, that ahy way befeem 
A fylvan, by whofe ftate *re verily may deem 
A ddty in thee, in whofe delightful bowers 
The fawns and furies make the longeft days but hours. 
And joying in the foil, where thou aflTum'ft thy feat. 
Thou to thy hartdmaid hafte, (thy pleafures to await) , 
Fair Benefield, who(e care to thee doth furely cleave. 
Which bears la grafs as foft, as is the dainty fleave. 
And thrumMVo tWck and deep, that the proud palmed 

deer, 
Forfake the ddfbr wcfdds, and make their quiet leir 
In beds df platted Tog, To eas'^y thc^re they fit. 
A fdi'eft and a chafe in every thing fo fit * 

This ifland hardljr liath, fo near illy'd that be. 
Brave nVrriph, fuch praifc belongs to Benefield and thee.' 

Whilft 

■« Northampton, forNortKSvonton, 'the town upon the north of Avon. 
^ io called of hb many wells or fountains. 



SONG *HB TWENTY^THIRD. 1115 

Whilft Rockingham was heard with thefe reports to ring. 
The .mufe by making on towVds Welland's ominous 

fpring. 
With * Keknarfh there is caught, for courfing of the hare,. 
Which fcorns that -any place fhould with her plains com- 
pare: 
Which in the proper terms' the mufe doth thus report ; 

The man whofe vacant mind prepares him to the fport. 
The ^ finder fcndcth out, to feek out nimble Wat, 
Which crofleth in the field, each furlong, every flat. 
Till he-ihis pretty beaft upon the form hath found. 
Then viewing for the courfe, which is the faireft ground. 
The greyhounds forth are brought, for courfing then in 

cafe, . 

And choicely in the flip, one leading forth a brace 5 
The finder puts her up, and gives her courfers law. 
And whilft the eager dogs upon the ftart do draw. 
She rifeth from her feat, as though on earth fhe flew, 
t'orc'd by fome yelping * cute to give the greyhounds view, 
AVhich are at length let flip, when gunning out they go. 
As in refpeft of them the fwifteft wind were flow, 
AVhen each man runs his horfe, with fixed eyes and notes 
Which dog firft turns the hare, which firft the other 

"".coats. 
They wrench her once or twice, ere (he a turn will tak^^ 
What's oflFer'd by the firft, the other good doth make i , 
And turn for turn again with equal fpeed they ply, 1 _. . 
Bcftirring their fwift feet with flxange agility : V 

A hardened ridge or way, when if the hare do win. 
Then as (hot from a bow, fhe from the dogs doth (pin. 
That ftrive to put her off, but when he cannot reach her. 
This giving him a coat, about again doth fetch her 
To him that comes behind, which feems the hare to bear ; 
But with a nimble turn fhe cafls them both arrear : 

TiU 



' A place in the north part of 
NorthamptoAfhire, excellent for 
coarfing with greyhooods. 

^ The hare- finder. 



^ A curr. 

» When one greyhound ontfirlps 
(heothrtrift^tecouffe. 



iii6 T LT-O L B 10 N: 

Till oft for want of breath, to fall to ground they make her, 
The greyhounds both fo fpent, that they want breath to tatx 

her. 
Here leave I whilft the mufe more ferious dungs attends, 
And with my courfe at hare, my Canto Ukewife ends. 

P O L r^O L B I O N: 



SONG THE TWENTY. FOURTH. 

The Argument. 

^he fatal Wellandfrom her fprings^ 
This fong to tFiJle of Ely brings : 
Our ancient Englifh faints revives j 
Then in an oblique courfe contrives^ 
The rarities that Rutland JhowSj 
Which with this Cant$ fhe doth clofe. 

THIS way, to that fair fount of Welland hath us led, • 
At ' Nalby to the north, where from a fecond head 
Runs Avon, which along to Severn ftiapes her courle. 
But pliant mufe proceed, with our new-handled (burce. 
Of whom from ages paft, a prophecy there ran, 
(Which to this ominous flood much fear and reverence wan) 
That fhe alone (hould drown all Holland, and fhould fee 
Her Stamford, which fo much forgotten feems to be ; 
Renowned for liberal arts, as highly honoured there. 
As they in Cambridge are, or Oxford ever were 5 
Whereby fhe in her felf a holinefs fuppos*d. 
That in her fcantlcd banks, though wandring long inclos'd, 

Yet 

f ; Tilt foiiouin of Welland. 



BONG THE TWENTY-FOURTH. 1117 

Yet in her fecret breaft a catalogue had kept 

Of.our religious faints, which though they long had flept. 

Yet through the chriften'd world, for they had won fucK 

fame 
Both to the Britifli firft, then to the Englifh name. 
For their abundant faith, and fandimony known. 
Such as were hither fent, or naturally our own. 
It much her genius griev*d, to have them now negledted^ 
Whofe piety fo much thofe zealous times refpeded. 
Wherefore (he with her felf refolvcd, when that (he 
To Peterborough came, where much ftie long'd to be. 
That in the wiflied view of Medhamfted, that town, 
"Which he the great'ft of laints doth by his name renown. 
She to his glorious phane an ofPring as to bring. 
Of her dear country*^ faints, the martyrologe would fing: 
And therefore all in hafte to Harborough (he hy*d. 
Whence Le'fterlhire (he leaves upon the northward fide. 
At Rutland then arriv'd, where Stamford her fuftams. 
By Deeping drawing out, to Lincolnfhire fte leans. 
Upon her bank by north, againfl: this greater throng, 
Northamptonfliire to fouth itiU lies with her along. 
And now approaching near to this appointed place. 
Where fhe and Nen make fhew as though they would ena-; 

brace ; 
But only they falute, and each holds on her way. 
When holy Welland thus was wifely heard to fay. 

^ I fing of faints, and yet my fbng fiiall not be fraught 
« With miracles by them, but feigned to be wrought, 

* That they which did their lives fo palbably bely, 

* To times have much impeach'd their holinefs thereby : 

* Though fools ( I fay ) on them, fuch poor impoftures lay, 

* Have fcandal'd them to ours, far foolUher than they, 

* Which think they have by this fo great advantage got 

* Their venerable names from memory to blot, 

* Which truth can ne*cr permit j and thou that art fi> 

pure, 
! The name of fcich a (aint that no way canft endure ; 

•Know 



iii8 POL r^O L B 10 Ni- - 

« Know in rcfpcfl: of them to recompenfe that hate, ' 

* The wretched*ft thing, and thou have both one death antl 

date : 

* From all vain worfliip too ; and yet am I as free 

* As is the moft precife, I pafs not who he be, 

* Antiquity I love, nor by the world's defpight, 

* I cannot be removed from that my dear delight. * 
This fpoke, to her fair aid her filler Nen ftie wins, 
"When (he of all her faints, now with that man begins. 

* The firft that ever told Chrift crucifyM to us, 

* (By Paul and Peter fent) juft Ariftobulus, 

* Renown*d in holy writ, a labourer in the ^ord, 

* For that moft ceitain truth, oppofing fire and fword,, 

* By th'Brit^ns murthcred here, fo unbelieving then. 

* Next holy Jofeph came, the merciful'ft of men, 

* The faviour of mankind, in fepulchre that laid, 

* That to the Britains was th'apoftle ; in his aid 

* Saint Duvian, and with him faint Fagan, both which were 

* His fcholars, like wife left their facred rdlqucs here : 

* AU denizens of ours, t"advancc the chriftian -ftati^, 

* At Glaftenbury long that were commemorate. 

* When Amphibal again our martyrdom began " 
"• In that moft bloody reign of l^oclefian : 

* This man into the truth, that bleffcd All?an led 
'* (Our Proto-martyr caird)who ftrongly difcipled 

* I;i chriftian patience, learnt his tortures to appeafe : 

* His fellow martyrs then, Stephen, and Socrates, 

* At holy Alban*s town, their frftival fhould hold ; 
*So of tfiat; martyr nam*d, (wllich Ver*lam was of old.) 
*Athoulandpther f^nts, whom Amphibal had tau^tt 

* Flying rfie pagan foe, their lives that ftriftly fought, 

* Were flain where Litchfield is, whofe name doth rightly 

found, 
'(There cf thofe chriftiaHs flain) Dead field, or burj^ng 
ground. 

* Then for the chriftian faith, two other here that ftoQ|d, 

* And teaching, brjiivdy fcaPd their doftrinc with their Wood: 
' « Saint 



SONG THE TWENTY-FOURTH. 1I19 

'• Stoit Julius, and with him faint Aron, have their room, 

* At Carleon fufPring death by Dioclefian's doom ; 

* Whofe perfecuting reign tempeftuoufly that rag'd, 

* 'Gainft thofe here for the faith, their utmoft that ingag'd, 
« Saint Angule put to death, one of our holieft men, 

* At London, of that fee, the godly bifhop then 

* in that our infant churchy fo r^folute was he. 

* A fecond martyr too grace London's ancient fee, 

* Though it were after long, good Voadine who reproved 

* Proud Vortiger his king unlawfully thatlov'd . 

* Another's wanton wife, and wrong*d his nuptial bed ; 

* For which by that ftern prince unjuftly murdered, 

* As he a martyr dyM, is fainted with the reft. 
*The third faint of that fee (tho' only he confeft) 

^ Was Guithelme, unto whom thofe times that reverence . 
gave, 

* As he a place with them eternally fliall have. 

* So Melior may they bring, the duke of Comwal^s fon, 

* By his falfe brother's hands, to death who being done 

* In hate of Chriftian faith, whofe zeal left time fhoukl taint, 

* As he a martyr was, they juftly made a faint, 

^ Thofe godly Rotnans then (who as mine author f^uth) 

* Wan good king Lucius firft t' embrace the Chriftian faith]( 
^ Fugatius, and his friend St. Damian, as they were 

* Made denizens of ours^ have their remembrance here: 
^ As two more (near that time Cbrift Jefus that confeft, 

* And that moft lively faith by their good works exprcft) 

* St. Ehsm with his pheere St. Midwin, who to win 

* The Britons^ (come from Rome, where chriften*d they had 

been) 

* Qjnverted to the faith their thoufands, whofe dear gravtt, 
/ Tlmt Glaftenbury grac'd, there their mencioFial have. 

^ As they their facred bones in Britain here beftow'df 
^ So Britain likewife fent her £dnts to them abroad : 

* iMarfdlus that juft man, who having gathered in 

< The ffiattei^d Chriftian flock, inftruded that had beon 

* By hply Jpfeph here ; jcq cpngrcg^tc he wan 

J ^Shii juftly named faint, this never- wearied man. 



1I20 P O L r^O L B I O Nt 

• Next io the Germans preach'd, till (void of earthly fcaf) 

• By his courageous death, he much renown'd Trcvci«. 

* Then of our native faints, the firft that dy*d abroad; 
Beatus next to him fhall fitly be beftow'd, 

• In Switzerland who preached, whom there thofe payniim 

flew, 

• When greater in their place, though not in faith, cnfue 

• St. Lucius (caird of us) the primer chriften'd king, 

• Of th* ancient Britons then, who led the glorious ring 

• To all the Saxon race, that here did him fucceed, 

• Changing his regal robe to a religious weed, 

• His rule in Britain left, and to Helvetia hy*d, 

• Where he a bilhop liv*d, a martyr laftlydy'd. 

• As Conftantine the Great, that godly emperor, 

• Here firft the Chriftian church that did to peace reftore, 

• Whofe ever blefled birth, (as by the power divine) 
« The Roman empire brought into the Britifli line, 

• Conftantinople's crown, and th' ancient Britons glory. 

• So other here we have to furnilh up our ftor/, 

^ St. Melon well-near when the Britifh church began, 

• (Even early in the reign of Rome's Valerian) 

• Here leaving us for Rome, from thence to Roan was 

caird, 

• To preach unto the French, where foon he was inftall'd 

• Her bifhop : Britain fo may of her Gudwall vaunt, 

• Who firft the Flemings taught, whofe feaft is held at 

Gaunt. 
« So others forth (he brought to little Britain vow'd, 

• St. Wenlock, and with him St. Sampfon, both allowed 
< Apoftles of that place, the firft the abbot fole 

«vOf Tawrac, and the laft fate on the fee of Dole : 

• Where dying, Maglor then thereof was bifhop made^ 

• Sent purpofely from hence that people to perfuade 

• To keep the Chriftian faith : foGoluin gavewethithcr^ 

• Who la^nted being there, we fet them here together. 
^ As of the weaker fex, that ages have enfhrin'd 

^ Amongft the Britifh dames^ and worthily diving: 



JONG THE T WENT Y^FOURTH. 1121 

The finder of the crofs queen Helena doth lead. 

Who tho* Rome fet a crown on her imperial head. 

Yet in our Britain bom, and bred up choicely here. 

Emerita the next, king Lucius' fifter dear. 

Who in Helvetia with her martyr brother dy*d i 

Bright Urfula the third, who undertook to guide 

Th* eleven thoufend maids to little Britain fent. 

By fcas and bloody men devoured as they went : 

Of which we find thefe four have been for faints prefer'd, 

(And with their leader ftill do live incalender'd) 

St. Agnes, Cordula, Odillia, Florence, which 

With wondrous fumptuojus (brines thofe ages did inrich 

At CuUen, where their lives moft clearly are expreft. 

And yearly feafts oblerv*d to them and all the reft. 

* But when it came to pals the Saxon powers had put 
The Britains from thefe parts, and them o'er Severn fhut, 
TheChriftianfsuth with her, then Cambria had alone. 
With thofe that it received (fi-om this now England)gonr, 
Whol^Cambrobritons fo their faints as duly brought, 
T'advance thcChriftianfjuth, cfFeftually that wrought. 
Their David, (one derivM of th* royal Britilh blood) 
Who 'gainft Pela^us' falfe and damn'd opinions ftood. 
And turnM Menenia's name to David's (acred fee. 

The patron of the Wel(h deferving well to be : 

With Cadock, next to whom comes Canock, both which 

were 
Prince Brechan*s fons, who gave the name toBrecknock- 

(hue; 
The firft a martyr made, a confeflTor the other. 
So Clintanck, Brecknock's prince, as firom one felf-&me 

mother, 
A (aint upon that feat, the other doth enfuc. 
Whom for theChriftian faith a pagan foldier (lew- 

* So bilhops can (he bring, of which her fwnts (hall bc^ 
As Aiaph, who firft g^ve that name unto that fee ; ' 
Of Bangor, and may boaft St. David wluch her wan 
Much reverence, and widi thefe Owdock and Tdean, 



1122 POL r-0 L B I N: 

« Both bifhops of LandafF, and faints in their fucxreffion; 
« Two other following thefe, both in the fame profeffion, 

* Saint Dubric whofe report old Carleon yet doth carry, 

* And Elcry inNorthwales, who built a monaftery, 

* In which himfelf became the abbot, to his praife, 

* And fpcnt in almfi^and prayer the remnant of his days. 

* But leaving thefe divin'd, to Decuman w€ come, 

* InNorthwaleS'who wascrown'd with glorious martyrdom. 
' Juftinian, as that man a fainted place dcferv'd, 

* Who ftill to feed his foul, his finful body ftarv*d : 
« And for that height in zeal, whereto he did attain, 

* There by his fellow monks, moft cruelly was flain. 

< So Cambria, Beno bare ; and Gildas, which doth grace ■ 

* Old Bangor, and by whofe learn'd writings we embrace 

* The knowledge of thofe times ^ the fruits of whofe juft pen, 

* Shall live forever frefli, with all truth-fearching men. 

* Then other, which for her's old Cambria doth aver, 

* St.Senan, and with him we fet St.'Deiferre, 

* Then Tather will we take, and Chyned to the reft, 

* With Baruk, who fo much the iQe of Bardfey bkA 

* By his moft powerful prayer, to folitude that liv'd, 

* And of all worldly care his zealous foul deprived. 

* Of thefe, fomelivM not long, ibme woad^rous aged were, 

* But in the mountains liv*d, all hermits here and there, j 

< O more than mortal men, whofe faith and earneft prayers, I 
« Not only bare ye hence, but were thofe mighty ft^rs 

« By which you went to heaven, and God fo clearly jaw, 
« As this vain earthly pomp had not the power to draw 

< Your elevated fouls, but once to look fo low, 

< As thofe deprefled paths, wherein bafe worldlings go. 

* What mind doth not admire the knowledge of thefe men? 
^ But zealous mufe return unto thy ta(k ^ain. 

* Thefe holy men at home, as here they w^re beftow'd> i 
,^ So Cambria had fuch too, as famous were abroad. 

^ SofAy, kmg Gulick's fon of Northwales, who Jbad ieen- 
^ The 'fepulchreihree times, and more, fetren tinoes hadboeii 
^ On pilgrimage at Rome, of^Ebeneventum there 
f The painful bifhc^ made ; by him fo place we here. 



SONGtheTWENTY-FOURTH. 1123 

* St. Macklove, from Northwales to little. Britain fenr, 

* That people to convert, who refolutely bent, 

* Of Athelney in time the bilhop there became 

* Which her firft title changed, and rook his proper name. 

* So fhe her virgins had, and vow'd as were the beft : 

* St. Keyne, prince Brechan*s child, (a man fo highly bleft, 

* That thirty born to him all faints accounted were.) 

* St. Inthwar fo apart (hall with thefe other bear, 

* Who out of falfe fufpeft was by her brother flain 

* Then Winifrid, whofe name yet famous doth remain, 

* Whofe fountain in Northwales intitled by her name, 

* For mofs, and for the ftones that be about the fame, 

* Is founded through this ifle, and to this latter age, 
' • Is of ourRomifts held their lateft pilgrimage. 

• But when the Saxons herefo ftrongly did refide, 
, * And furely feated once, as owners to abide ; ^ 

* When nothing in the world to their defire was wanting, 

* Except the Chriftian faith, for whofe fubftantial planting, 

* St. Auguftine from Rome was to this ifland fent ; 

* And coming through large France, arriving firft iaKcnt, 

* Converted to the faith king Ethelbert, till then 

* Unchriften'd that had liv'd, with all his Kentifli men, 

* And of their chiefeft town, now Canterbury callM, 

* The bilhop firft was made, and on that fee inftallM. 

* Four other, and with him for knowledge great in name, 

* That in this mighty work of our converfion came, 

* Lawrence, Melitus then, with Juftus, and Honorius, 

* In this great Chriftian work, all which had been laborious, 

* To venerable age each coming in degree, 

* Succeeded him again in Canterbury fee, 

' As Peter born in France, with thefe and made our own, 

* And Pauline whofe great zeal was by his preaching Ihown. 

* The firft to abbot's ftate, wife Auften did prefer, 

* And to the latter gave the fee of Rochefter ; 

* All canonizM for faints, as worthy fure they were, 

* For 'ftablifhing the faith, which was received here. 

* Few countries where ourChrift had e*erbeen preached then,' 

* But fent into this iQe fome of their godly men, 

Dddd !Fr«5f 



1124 POL r^O L B 10 N: 

• From Perfia led by zeal, fo Ive this ifland fought, 

• And near our eaftern fens a fit place finding, taught 

• The faith : which place from him alone the name derives, 

• And of that fainted man fince call'd is St. Ives ; 

• Such reverence to herfelf that time devotion wan. 

* So fun-burnt Africk fent us holy Adrian, 

• Whopreach'd the Chriftian faith here nine and thirty year, 

• An abbot in this iQe, and to this nation dear, 

• That in our country two provincial fynods calPd, 

< T* reform the church that time with herefies enthrall'd. 
« So Denmark Henry fent t' increafe our holy ftore, 

« Who falling in from thencK upon our northern {hore 
« In th' ifle of ^ Cochet liv'd, near to die mouth of Tyne, 
« In fading as in prayer, a man fo much di/ine, 
« That only thrice a week on homely cates he fed, 

< And three times in the week himfelf he filenced, 

• That in remembrance of this mod abftemious man, 

• Upon his blefled death the Engliflimen began, 

• By him to name their babes, which it fo frequent brings, 
i Which name hath honoured been by many Englifti king^. 

* So Burgundy to us three men rtioft reverend bare, 

• Amongft our other faints, that claim to have their (hare, 
« Of which was Felix firft, who in th* Eaft-Saxon reign, 

• Converted t5> the faith king Sigbert : him again 
« Enfueth A^felm, whom Augufta fent us in, 

^ And Hugh, whofe holy life to Chrift did many win, ' 

• By *^ Henry th' emprefs* fon holp hither, and to have 

• Him wholly to be ours, the fee of Lincoln gave. 

' So Lombardy to us, our reverend Langfranck lent, 
« For whom into this land king William conqueror fent^ 

• And Canterbury's fee tp his wife charge affignM. 

* Nor France to thefe for her's was any whit behind, 
^ For Grimbald (he us gave, (as Peter long before, 

• Who with St. Auften came to preach upon this fhore) 

• By Alfred hither called, who him an abbot made, 

, • Who by his godly life, and preaching did perfuadc 

« The 

!^ Ao iflet upon the coaflof Scotland^ iq the German Tea. * Hen^ II. 



SONG theTWENTY-FOURTH. 1125 

•The Saxons to believe the true and quick' ning word: 

* So after long again fhe likewife did afford, 

« St* Ofmond, whom the fee of Salilbury doth own^ 

* A bifliop once of her's, and in our conqueft known, 

« When Wther to that end their Norman William came, 
« Remigius then, whofe mind, that work of ours of fame> 

* Rich Lincoln minfter fhews, where he a bifliop fat^ 

* Wbidr(rt flxould feem) he built for men to wonder at. 

* So potent were the powers of churchmen in thofe days. 

* Then Henry nam'd of Blois, from France whocrofs'd 

the feas, 
With Stephen earl of Blois his brother, after kingj 
In Winchefter's rich fee, who him eftablifliing^ 
He in thofe troublous times in preaching took fuch pain^ 
As he by them >yas not canonized in vain. 

• As other countries; here their holy men beftowM ; 
So Britain likewife fent her faints to them abroad. 
And into neighbouring France our moft religious went^ 
St. Clare that native was of Rochefter in Keht, 
At Volcafyne came vowM the French inftrudting there^ 
So early ere the truth amongfl: them did appear^ 
That more than half a God they thought that reverend 

man. 
Our Judock, fo in France fuch fame our nation wan^ 
For holinefs, where long an abbot's life he led 
At Pontoife, and fo much was honoured, that being dead> 
And after threefcore years (their latefl period dated) " 
His body taken up, was folemnly tranflated. 
As Ceofrid, that fometime of Waremouth abbot was^ 
In his return from Rome, as he through France did pafs 
At Langres left his life, whofe holinefs even vet. 
Upon his reverend grave, in memory doth fit. 
St. Alkwin fo for ours, we Englifli boaft again. 
The tutor that became to mighty Charlemaigne, 
That holy man^ whofe heart was fo with goodnels fill*d. 
As out of zeal he wan that mighty king to build 
That academy now at Paris, whofe foundation 
* Xhio* all theChrUlian world hath fo renown'd that nation,' 

pddd2 ^Aj 



II26 POL r-0 L B ION: 

* As well declares his wealth, that had the power to do if* 

* As his mod lively zeal, perfuading him unto it. 

« As Simon caird the faint of Bourdeaux^ which fo wrought, 
' « By preaching there the truth, that happily he brought 

* The people of thofe parts from paganifm, wherein 

* Their unbelieving fouls fo long had nuzled been. 

* So in the Norman rule, two moft religious were, 

* Amongft ours that in France difperfed here and there, 

* Preach'd to that nation long, St. Hugh, who born our 

own, 

* In our firft Henry's rule fat on the fee of Rohan, 

* Where reverenced he was long. St. Edmund fo again, 

* Who baniflied from hence in our third Henry's reign, 
« There led an hermit's life near Pontoife^ (where before 

* St. Judock did the like) whofe honour to reftore, 

* Religious Lewis there interr'd with wond'rous coft, 

* Of whofe rich funeral France defervedly may boaft* 

* Then Main we add to thefe, an abbot here of ours, 

* To little Britain fent, employing all his powers 

* To bring them to the faith, which he fo well eflfedted, 

* That fince he as a faint hath ever been refpefted. 

• As thefe of ours in France, fo had we thofe did (how 

* In Germany, as well the Higher, as the Low, 

* Their faith : in Friefeland firft St. Boniface our beft, 

* Who of the fee of Mentz, while there he fat poffeft, 

* At Dockum had his death, by faithlefs Frifians flain, 

* Whofe anniverfaries there did after long remain. 

^ So Wigbert full of faith, and heavenly wifdom went ' 

* Unto the felf fame place, as with the fame intent; 

* With Eglemond, a man as great with God as he; 
^ As they agreed in life, fo did their ends agree, 

* Both by Radbodius flain, who rul'd in Frifia then : 

* So in the facred roll of our religious men, 

* In Frife that preach'd the faith we of St. Lullus read, 
•Who in the fee of Mentz did Boniface fucceed ; 

* AndWillihad that of Bren, that facred feat fupply'd, 

* So holy that him there, they halfly deify'dj 

. « With 



SONG THE TWENTY.FOURTH. 1127 

* With Marchelrae, and with him our Plechelme, holy men, 
.^, That to thcFrifes now, and to the Saxons then, 

* In Germany abroad the glorious gofpel fpread, 

* Who at their lives depart, their bodies gathered, 

* Were at old^Seell enfhrin'd, their obiits yearly kept j 

* Such as on theni have had as many praifes heap'd, 

* That in their lives the truth as conftantly confeft, 

* As th'other that their faith by martyrdom expreft, 

* In Frife, asthefe of ours, their names did famous leave, 

* Again {o had we thofe as much renownM in Cleve ; 

* St. Swibert, and with him St. Willick, which from hence, 
' To Cleveland held their way, and in the truth's defence 

* Pawn*d their religious lives, and as they went together, 

* So one and felf fame place allotted was to either: 

* For both of them at Wert in Cleveland feated were, 

* St. Swibert bifhop was, St. Willick abbot there. 

• So Guelderland again (hall our mod holy bring, 
^ As Edilbert the fon of Edilbald the king 

* Of our South-Saxon rule, inceflantly that taught 

* TheGuclders, whole bleft days unto their period brought, 

* Unto his reverend corpfe, old Harlem harbour gave ; 

* So Werenfrid again, ^nd Otger both we have, 

* Who to thofe people preach'd, whofe praife that coun- 

try tells. 

* What nation nanies a faint for virtue that excels 

* St. German who for Chrift his biflioprick forfook, 

* And in the Netherlands moft humbly him betook, 
« From place to place to pafs, the fecrets to reveal, 

' Of our dear Saviour's death, and laft of all to feal 

* His doftrine with his blood : In Belgia fo abroad, 

« St. Wynock in like fort, his bleffed time beftow'd, 

* Whofe relicks Wormfhault(yet) in Flanders hath referv*d. 

' Of thefe, th' rebellious flefh (to win them heaven) that 
ftarv'd. 

* St. Menigold, a man, who in his youth had been 

* A foldier, and the French and German wars had feen, 

* A hermit laft became, his finful foul to lave, 

* To whom goodArnulph, that moft godly emperor gave 

D d d d 3 * Some- 



1128 P L r-0 L B I N: 

* Some ground not far from Liege, his hermitage to fet, 

* Whofe floor when with his tears he many a day had wct^ 
« He for the Chriftian faith upon the fame was (lain : 

* So did th*Erwaldi there moft worthily attain 

* Their martyrs glorious types, to Ireland firft approved, 

* But after (in their zeal) as need required remov'd^ 

* They to Weftphalia went, and as they brothers were, 

* So they, the Chriftian faith together preaching there, 

* Th' old pagan Saxons flew, out of their hatred deep 

* To the true faith, whcffe Ihrines brave CuUen ftiil doth 

keep. 
* So Adier one of ours, by England fet apart 

* For Germany, and fent that people to convert, 

* Of Erf(^d bifliop made, there alfo had his end. 

* St. Liphard like wife to our martyrologe fliall lend, 

* Who having been at Rome on pilgrimage, to fee 

* The relicks of the faints, fuppofed there to be, 

* Returning by the way of Germany, at lafl:, 

* Preaching the Chriftian faith, as he through Cambray paft, 

* The pagan people flew, whofe relicks Huncourt hath : 
f Thefe others fo we had, which trod the felf fame path 

* In Germany, which flie moft reverently >embrac*d. 

* St. John a man of ours, on Sakzburg's fee was placM ; 

* St. Willibald of Eift the bifliop fo became, 

* And Burchard Englifli born, the man moft great of name, 

* Of Wirtzburg bifhop was, at Hohemburg that rear'd 

* The monaftery, wherein he richly was interr'd. 

* SoMaeftricht unto her St. Willibord did call, 

* And feated him upon her fee epifcopal, 

* As twp St. Lebwins there amongft the reft are brought ; 

* Th' one o'er Ifell's banks the ancient Saxons taught : 

* At Qver-Ifell refts, the other did apply, 

^ The Guelders, and by them interred at Daventry. 

* St. Wynibald again, at Hidlemayne enjoy'd 

* The abbacy, in which his godly time employed 

* In their convcrfion there, which long time him withftood. 

* St. Gregory then, with us Iprung of the royal blood, 

* And 



SONGtbe TWENTY-FOURTR 1129 

* And fon to him whom we the elder Edward ftile, 

* Both court and country left, which he efteem*ed vile, 

* Which Germany receiv'd, where he at Mayniard led 
^ A ftri6t monaftick life, a faint alive and dead. 

* So had we fome of ours for Italy were preft^ 

* As well as thefe before, fent out into the caft. 

* King Inas having done fo great and wondrous things, 

* As well might be fuppos'd the works of fundry kings, 

* Eredting beauteous phanes, and monuments fo fair, 

* As monarchs have not fince been able to repair, 

* Of many that he built, the leaft, in time when they 

* Have (by weak mens negleft) been falFn into decay : 

* This realm by him enrich'd, he poverty profefsM, 

* In pilgrimage to Rome, where meekly he deceased. 

* As Richard the dear fon to Lothar king of Kent, 

* When he his happy days religioufly had fpent ; 

* And feeling the approach of his declining age, 
' Defirous to fee Rome in holy pilgrimage, 

* Into thy country come at Lucca, left his life, 

♦• Whofe miracles there done, yet to this day are rife. 
« The patron of that place,' fo Tufcany in thee, 
« At fair Mount-flafcon ftill the memory fhall be 

* Of holy Thomas there moft reverently interr'c^ 
/ Who fometime to ^hc fee of Hereford prefer*d j 

* Thence travelling to Rome, in his return bereft 

* His life by ficknefs, there to thee his body left. 

* Yet Italy gave not thefe honours all to them 
' That vifited her Rome, but from Jerufalem, 

* Some coming back thro' thee, ancj yielding up their fpirits, 
' On thy rich earth received their moft deferved merits. 

* O Naples^ as thine own, in thy large territory, 

* Tho* to our country's praife, yet to thy greater glory, 

* Even to this day thefhrines religioufly doft keep, 

« Of many a blefled faint which in thy lap doth fleep : 

* As Eleuthcrius, come from vifiting the tomb, 

^ Thou gav'ft to him at Arke in thy Apulia room 
^ To fet his holy cell, where he an hermit dy*d, 
^ Canonized her faint ; fo haft thou gloqfy'4 

Pddd4 tst; 



1I30 P O L r^O L B 10 N: 

* St. Gerrard, one of ours, (above the former grac'd) 

* In fuch a fumptuous (hrine at Galinaro plac'd ; 

* At Sanfto Padre fo, St. Fulke hath ever fame, 

* Which from that reverend man *t fhould feem derived 

the name, 

* His relicks there referv'd •, fo holy Ardwin*s fhrine 

* Is at Ceprano kept, and honoured as divine, 

* For miracles, that there by his ftrong faith were wrought. 

* 'Mongft thefe felefted men, the fepukhre that fought, 

* And in thy realm arrived, their bleffed fouls refign*d : 

* Our Bernard's body yet at Arpine we may find, 

* Until this prefcnt time, her patronizing faint. 

* So countries more remote, with ours we did acquaint, 

* As Richard for the fame his holinefs had won, 

* And for the wondrous things that thro' his prayers were 

done, 

* From this his native home into Calabria call*d, 

* And of St. Andrew's there the biftiop was inftaird, 

* For whom ftie hath profefe'd much reverence to this land: 

* St. William with this man, a parallel may ftand, 

* Thro* all the Chriftian world accounted fo divine, 

* That travelling from hence to holy Paleftine^ 

* Defirous that moft bleft Jerufalem to fee, 

* (In which the Saviour's felf fo oft vouchlafM to be) 
^ Prior of that holy houfe by fufFrages related, 

* To th' fepulchre of Chrift, which there was dedicated ; 

* To Tyre in Syria thence remov'd in little fpace, 

* And in lefs time ordain'd archbiftiop of that place ; 

* That God-infpired man, with heavenly goodnefs fiUM, 

* A faint amongft the reft defervedly is held. 

* Yet Italy, nor France, nor Germany, thofe times 

* Employ'd not all our men, but into colder climes, 

* They wandcr'd thro' the world, their countries that for- 

fook. 

* So Sigfrid fent from hence devoudy undertook 

* Thofe pagans wild and rude, of Gothia to convert, 

* Who having labour'd long, with danger oft ingirt, 

' ' Was 



SONG THE TWENTY^FOURTH. 1131 

Was in his reverend age for his deferved fee. 

By Olaus king of Goths, fet on Vexovia*s fee. 

To Norway, and to thofe great north-eaft countries far 5 

So Gotebald gave himfelf holding a Chriftian war 

With paynims, nothing elfe but hcathenifh rites that 

knew. 
As Suethia to herfelf thefe men moft reverend drew, 
St. Ulfrid of our faints as famous there as any. 
Nor fcarcely find we one converting there fo many. 
And Henry in thofe days of Oxfto biftiop made. 
The firft that Swethen king, which ever did perfuade, • 
' On Finland to make war, to force them by the fword. 
When nothing elfe could ferve to hear the powerful word; 
With Elkill thither fent, to teach that barbarous nation. 
Who on the paflion day, there preaching on the paffion, 
T' exprefs the Saviour's love to mankind, taking pain. 
By cruel paynims hands was in the pulpit flain, 
Upon that bleffed day Chrifl- died for finful man, 
Upon that day for Chrifl: his martyr's crown he wan. 
So David drawn from hence into thofe farther parts, 
By preaching, who to pierce thofe paynims hardened hearts, 
IncefTantly proclaimed Chrifl: Jefus, with a cry 
Againfl: their heathen gods, and blind idolatry. 
Into thofe colder climes to people beaftly rude. 
So others that were ours courageoufly purfu'd 
The planting of the truth, in zeal three mofl: profound. 
The relifli of whofe names by likelinels of found. 
Both in their lives and deaths, a likelinefs might fliow. 
As Unaman we name, and Shunaman that go. 
With Wynaman their friend, which martyred gladly were 
In Gothland, whilft they taught with Chrifl:ian patience 

there. 
♦ Nor thofe from us that went, nor thofe that hither came 
From the remotefl: parts, were greater yet in name. 
Than thofe refiding here on many a goodly fee, 
(Great bifliopsin account, now greater faints that be) 
Some fuch felefted ones for piety and zeal. 
As to the wretched world, more cleariy could reveal. 



I: 



1132 POL r^O L B 10 N: 

* How much there might of God in mortal man be found 

* In charitable works, or fuch as did abound, 

* Which by their good fuccefe in after times were blcft, 

* Were then related founts, as worthier than the reft. 

♦ Of Canterbury here with thofe I will begin, 

* That firft archbifhop's fee, on which there long had been 

* So many men devout, as raised that church {o high, 

* Much reverence, and have won their holy hierarchy : 
^ Of which he firft that did with goodnefs fo inflame Ij 

* The hearts of the devout (that from his proper name) // 

* As one (even) fent from God, the fouls of men to liavc i 

* The tide unto him, of Deodat they gave. jr 

* The bifliops Brightwald next, and Tatwin in we take, 

* Whom time may fay, that faints It worthily did make 

* Succeeding in that fee direftly even as they, 

* Here by the mufe are plac*d, who fpent both night and 

day 

* By doftrine, or by deeds, inftrufting, doing good, 

* In raifing them were fallen, or ftrengthening them that 

ftood. 

* Then Odo the fevere, who highly did adorn 
f That fee, (yet being of unchriften'd parents bom, 

* Whofe country Denmark was, but in Eaft-England 

dwelt) 

* He being but a child, in his clear bofom felt 

* The moft undoubted truth, and yet unbaptiz'd longj jl 

* But as he grew in years, in fpirit fo growing ftrong ; 

* And as the Chriftian faith this holy man had taught, 

* He likewife for that faith in fundry battles fought. 

* So Dunftan as the reft arofe through many fees, 

* To this arch-type at laft afcending by degrees, 

* There by his power confirm*d, and ftrongly credit won, 

* To many wond*rous things which he before had done. 
^ To whom when (as they (ay) the Devil once appeared, 

* This man fo full of faith, not once at all afraid, 

* Strong conflifts with him had, in miracles moft great. 
t As Egclnoth again much graced that facred feat, 

<Whq 



SONG THE T WENT Y-FOURT H.I 133 

^ Who for his godly deeds fornamed was the Good, 

* Not boafting of his birth, tho' come of royal blood : 

* For that, nor at the firft, a monk's mean cowl defpis'd,- 

* With winning men to God, who never was fuffic'd. 

* Thefe men before exprefs'd ; fo Eadfine next enfues, 

* To propagate the truth, no toil that did refufe 5 

^ In Harold's time who livM, when William conqueror 

came, 
5 For holinefs of life, attained unto that fame, 

* That foldiers fierce and rude, that pity never knew, 

* Were fuddenly made mild, as changed in his view. 

* This man with thofe before, moft worthily related 

* Arch-faints, as in their fees arch-bifliops confecrated. 

* St. Thomas Becket then, which Rome did fo hiuch hery, 
^ As to his chriften'd name they added Canterbury j 

* There to whofe fumptuous ftirine the near fucceeding ages, 

< So mighty offerings fent, and made fuch pilgrimages, 

* Concerning whom, the world fince then hath fpent mudd 

breath, 

* And many queftions made both of his life and death : 
^ If he were truly juft, he hath his right ; if no, 

* Thofe times were much toblamCptbat have him reckoned 

fo. 
^ Then thefe from York enfue, whofe lives have as much 
grac'd 

* That fee, as thefe before in Canterbury plac'd : 

* St. Wilfrid of her faints, we then the firft will bring, 

* Who twice by Egfrid's ire, the ftcrn Northumbrian king, 

* Expuls'd his facred feat, moft patiently it bare, 

* The man for facred gifts almoft beyond compare. 

* Then Bofa next to him as meek and humble hearted, 

* As th* other full of grace, to whom great God imparted 

< His mercies fundry ways, as age upon him came. 

* And next him followeth John, who likewife bare the name 

* Of Beverley, where he moft happily was bom, 

* Whofe holinefs did much his native place adorn, 

* Whofe vigils had by thofe devouter times bequdls 
? The ceremonies due to great and fokmn feafts. 



II34 POL r^O L B ION: 

* So Ofwald of that feat, and Cedwall fainted were, 

* Both* reverenced and renowned archbifhops, living there 

* The former to that fee, from Worcefter transfer*d, 

* Deceafed, was again at Worcefter interrM : 

* The other in that fee a fepulchrc they chofe, 

* And did for his great zeal amongft the faints difpofe, 

* As William by defcent come of the conqueror's ftrain, 

* Whom Stephen ruling here did in his time ordain 

* Archbifhop of that fee, among our faints doth fall, 

* Derived from thofe two feats, ftyl'd archiepifcopal. 

* Next thefe arch-fees of ours, now London place doth 
take, 

* Which had thofe, of whom time faints worthily did 

make* 
« As Ceda, (brother to that reverend bifhopChad, 

* At Litchfield in thofe times, his famous feat that had) 
Is fainted for that fee amongft our reverend men, 

* Prom London tho' at length removed to Leftingen^ 

* A monaftery, which then he richly had begun. 

« Him Erkenwald enfues th* Eaft-Englifti Offa's fon, 
« His father's kingly court, who for a crofier fled, 

* Whofe works fuch fame him won forholinefs, that dead, 
< Time him enftirin'd in Paul's, (the mother of that fee) 

* Which with revenues large, and privileges he 

« Had wondroufly endowed ; . to goodnefs fo afFefted, 
.* That he thofe abbies great, from his own power ereftcd 

* AtChertfey near to Thames, and Barking famous long. 
« So Roger hath a room in thefe our fainted throng, 

* Who by his words and works fo taught the way to heaveiH 

* As that great name to him fure was not vainly given. 

* With Winchefter again proceed we, which ftiall ftorc 

* Us with as many faints, as any fee (or more) 

* Of whom we yet have fung, (as Heada there we have) 

* Who by his godly life, fo good inftruftions gave, 

* As teaching that the way to make men to live well, 

* Example us affur'd, did preaching far excel. 

* Our Swithun then enfues, of him why ours I fay, 

* Ij5 that upon his feaft, his dedicated day, 

•Ai 



SONG TttE TWENTY-FOURTH. 1135 

* As it in harveft haps, fo plowmen note thereby, 

* Th' enfuing forty days be either wet or dry, 

'* As that day falleth out, whofe miracles may we 

* Believe thofe former times, he well might fainted be^ 

• So Frithftan for a faint incalendar*d we find, 

* With Brithftan not a whit the holieft man behind, 

* Canoniz'd, of which two, the former for riefpedt 

* Of virtues in him found, the latter did eleft 

* To fit upon his fee, who likewifc dying there, 

* To Ethdbald again fucceeding did appear, 

* The honour to a faint, as challenging his due. 

* Thefe formerly exprefsM, then Elpheg doth enfue ; 

* Then Ethelwald, of whom this alms-deed hath been told, 

* That in a time of dearth his church's plate he fold, 

* T^ relieve the needy poor ; the church's wealth (quoth lie) 

* May be again repaired, but fo thefe cannot be. 

* With thefe before exprefs*d,fo Britwald forth fhe brought, 

* By faith and earneft prayer his miracles that wrouglit, 

* That fuch againft the faith, that were moft ftony-hcarted, 
« By his religious life, have laftly been converted. 

« This man, when as our kings fo miKh decayed were, 

* As 'twas fuppos'd their line would be extinguifli*d here, 
« Had in his dream reveal'd, to whom all-doing heaven, 

* The fcepter of this land in after-times had given j 

* Which in prophetick fort by him delivered was, 

* And as he ftoutly fpake, it truly came to pafs. 

* So other fouthern fees, here either lefs or more, 

< Have likewife had their faints, tho* not alike in ftore. 
« Of Rochefter we have St. Ithamar, being then 

* In thofe firft times, fij-ft of our native Ehglifhmen 

* Rcfiding on that feat -, fo as an aid to her, 

* But fingly fainted thus, we have of Chichefter, 

* St. Richard, and with him St. Gilbert, which do ftand 

* Inroird amongft the reft of this our mitred band, 

* Of whom fuch wond*rous things, for truths delivered arc^ 
^ As now may feem to ftretch our ftrait belief too far. 

*And 



1136 P L r^O L B 10 N: 

' And Cimbcrf, of a faint had the deferved right. 
His yearly obiits long, done in the ifle of Wight, 
A bilhop, as fome fay, but certain of what fee 
It fcarcely can be prbvM, nor is it known to me. 

* Whilft Sherburne was a fee, and in her glory ihortc, 
And Bodmin likewife had a bifliop of her own, 
Whofe diocefe that time contained Cornwal ; thcfe 
Had as the reft their faints, derived from their fees: 
The firft, her Adelme had, and Hamond, and the laft 
Had Patrock, for a laint that with the other paft ; 
That were it fit for us but to examine now 
Thofe former times, thefe men for faints that did allow, f 
And from our reading urge, that others might as well 
Related be for faints, as worthy every deal. \ 
This fcrutiny of our?, would clear that world thccebyi 
And Ihew it to be void of pardality, [ 
That each man holy callM, was not canoniz'd hew, ' 
But fuch whofe lives by death had trial nuny a year. 

* That fee at Norwich now eftablifliM (long not ftir'd) 
At Eltham planted firft, to Norwijch then transfer'd \] 
Into our bed-roll here, her Humbert in doth pbring, 
(A counfellor that was to that moft martyred king 
St. Edmund) who in their rude maflacre then flain. 
The title of a faint his martyrdom doth gain, 

* So Hereford hath had on her cathedral feat,. 
Saint Leofgar, a man by martyrdom made great. 
Whom Griffith prince of Wales, that town which did 

fubdue, 
(O moft unhallowM deed) unmercifully flew, 

* So Wor'fter, (as thofe fees here fung by us before) 
Hath likewife with her faints renowji'd our nattvefhoret 
Saint Egwin as her eld'ft, with Woolftan as the other, 
Of whom ftie may be proud to fay ftie w;is the motbefi 
The church*s champions both, for her that iloutly flood. 

* Litchfield hath thefe no whit lels famous, nor lels>goocL 
The ^firft of whom is that moft reverend lidftiop Chad^ 
In thofe religious times for holinefs that had 

*Thc 



SONG THE TWENTY-FOURTH. 1137 

. The name above the bcft that lived in thofe days, 
« That ftories have been ftuft with his abundant praife % 
« Who on the fee of. York being formerly inftallM, 
w Yet when back to that place faint Wilfrid was recalled, 
*.The feat to that good man he willingly refign'd, 

• And to the quiet clofs of Litchfield him confinM. 

• So Sezulfe after him, then Owen jdid fupply, 

• Her trine of reverend men, renown'd for fancStity. 

* As Lincoln to the faints, our Robert Grofted lcnt> 

• A perfeft godly man, moft learnM and eloquent^ 

^r* Than whbm no bilhop yet walkM in more upright ways^ 
\ • Who durft reprove proud Rome in her moft profperous 
days, 

• Whofe life, of that next age the juftice well did Ihow^ 

• Which we may boldly fay, for this we clearly know, 
'• Had Innocent the fourth the church's fuffrage led, 

• This man could not at Rome have been canoni^d^ 

* Her fainted bifhop John, fo Ely adds to thetej 

• Yet never any one of all our feveral fees 

^ Northumberland, like thine, have to thefe times been bleft^ 

• Which fent into this ifle fo many men profeft, 

« Whilft Haguftald had then a mother-church*s ftylc, 
« And Lindisferne of us now callM the Holy-ifle, 
« Was then a fee before that Durham was fo great, 
' • And long ere Carlifle came to be a bi(hop*s feat. 
^ Aldan, and Finan both, fnoft happily were found 

• Northumberland in thee, even whilft thou didft abound 

• With paganifm, which .them thy Ofwin that good king^ 
« His people to convert, did in from Scotland hrmgi 

« As Etta likewife her's, from Malrorfe that arofe^ 

• Being abbot of that place, whom theNorthumbers chofe 
« The bifhoprick of Feme, and Haguftald to hold* 

• And Cuthbert of whofe life fuch miracles are told, 

• As ftory fcarcely can the truth thereof maintain, 

• Of th* old Scotch-Irifh kings defcended from the ftrain, 

• To whom fince they belong, I from them here muffc 

fwerve, 
f And till I thither come, their holinefe referve, 

•Pro- 



1138 P L r-O L B 10 N: 

* Proceeding with the reft that on thpfe fees have Ihown, 

* As Edbert after thefe born naturally our own. 

* The next which in that fee faint Cuthbert did fuccced, 

* His church then built of wood, and thatch*d withhome^ 

reed, 

* He builded up of ftone, and covered fair with lead, 

* Who in f^ntCuthbert's grave they buried bdhg dead, 

* As his fad people he at his departing wiird. 

* So Higbald after him a faint is likewife held, 

* Who when his proper fee, as all the northern Ihore, 

^ Were by the Danes deftroy'd, he not difmayM themoK^ 

* But making fliift to get out of the cruel flame, 

* His clergy carrying forth, preach'd wherefoe'er he came, 

* And Alwyn who the church at Durham now, begun, 

* Which place before that time was ftrangely over-run 

* With fhrubs, and men for corn that plot had lately ear'd, 

* Where he that goodly phane to after ages rear'd, 

^ And thither his late feat from ^ Lindisferne tranflated, 

* Which his cathedral church by him was confecrated. 

* So Acca we account 'mongft thofe which have been 

caird ... * 

* The faints of this our fee, which fat at Hagenftald, 

* Of which he bifliop was, in that good age i*efpe6ted, 

* In calendars prefer v'd, in th* catalogues neglefted; 

* Which fince would feem to fhew the biftiops as they came: 

* Then Edilwald, which fome (fince) Etheiwoolph dp name, 

* At Durham by fome men fuppofed to refide 

* More rightly, but by fonrie at Carlifle juftify*d, 

* The firft which rul'd that fee, which * Beauclerkdid pre- 

fer, 

* Much gracing him, who was his only confeflbr. 

* Nor were they biftiops thus related faints alone 5 

* Northumberiand, but thou (befides) haft many a one, 

* Religious abbots, priefts, and holy hermits then, 

* Canonized as well as thy great mitred men : 



€ 



T« 



d An ifle near to Scotland, lying j called Holy-iiland. 
intoU^c German ocean^ fince that | c Henry I, 



SONG tHE TWENTY-FOURTH. 1139 

* Two famous abbots firft arc in the rank of thefe, 

* Whofe abbeys touch'd the walls of thy two ancient feas. 

^ Thy RoyfJ (in his time the tutelage that had 
J • Of Cuthbert that great faint, whofe hopes then but a lad, 

* ExprefsM in riper years how greatly he might merit) 

* The man who had from God a prophefying fpirit, 

* Foretelling many things ; and growing to be old, 
« His very hour of death, was by an angel told. 

« At Malroys this good man his fainting well did earn, 

* Saint Ofwald his again at holy Lindisferne., 

« With Ive a godly prieft, fuppos'd to have his lere 
« Of Cuthbert, and with him was Herbert likewife there 

* His fellow-pupil long, who (as mine author faith) 
. « So great opinion had, of Cuthbert and his faith, 

« That at one time and place, he with that holy man, 

* DefirM of God to die, which by his prayer he wan. 

* Our venerable Bcde fo forth that couritry brought, 

* And worthily fo nam^d, who of thofe ages fought 

* The truth to underftand, impartially which he 
« DcliverM hath to time, in his records that we 

* Things left fo far behind before us ftill may read, 

* *Mongft our canonized fort, who called is faint Bede. 

* A fort of hermits then, by thee to light are brought, 

* Who liv'd by alms, and prayer, the world rcfpeding 

nought. 

* Our Edilwald the prieft, in Fern (now holy ifle) 

* Which ftandeth from the firm to fea nine Englifli mile, 

* Sate in his reverent cell, as Godrick thou canft ftiow, 

* His head and beard as white as fwan or driven fnow, 

* At Finchall threefcore years, a hermit's life to lead 1 

* Their folitary way in thee did Alrick tread, ^ 

* Who in a foreft near to Carlifle, in his age^ 

* Bequeathed himfelf to his more quiet hermitage* 

* Of Wilguffe, fo in thee Northumberland we tell, 

* Whofe moft religious life hath merited fo well, 

* (Whofe blood thou boafts to be of thy moft royal ftrain) 
•That Alkwin, mafter to that mighty Charlemaign, 

Eec? 514 



1I40 POL r-0 L B I O N: 

* In verfe his legend writ, who of our holy men, 

* He him the fubjeft chofe for his moft learned pen. 

* So Ofwyn, one of thy dear country thou canft fliow, 
^ To whom as for the reft for him we likewife owe 

* Much honour to (iiy earth,, this godly man that gave, 

* Whofe reliques that great houfe of Lcfting long did fave, 

* To cinders till it funk : fo Benedift by thee, 

* We have amongft the reft, for faints that reckoned be, 

* Of Wyremouth worfhip'd long, her patron buried there, 

* In that moft goodly church, which he himfelf did rear. 

* Saint Thomas fo to us Northumberland thou lent*ft, 

* Whom up into the fouth, -thou from his country fent'ft; 
' For fanftity of life, a man exceeding rare, 

' Who fince that of his name fo many faints there are, 

* This man from others more, that dmes might underftand, 

* They to his chriften'd name added Northumberland. 

' Nor in one country thus our faints confined were, 

* But through this famous ifle difperfed here and there : 

* As Yorkfliire fent us in faint Robert to our ftore, 

* At Knarftx)rough moft known, whereas he long before 
*His blefled rime beftow'd ; then one as juft as he, 

^ (If credit to thofe times attributed may be) ' 

* Saint Richard with the reft deferving well a room, 

* Which in tliat country once, at Hampool had a tomb. 

* Reli^ous Aired fo, from Rydal we receive, 

* The abbot, who to all pofterity did leave 

* The fmits of his ftaid faith, delivered by his pen. 

* Not of the leaft defert amongft our holieft men, 

* One Eufac then we had, but where his life he led, 

* That doubt I, but am fure he was canonized, 

^ And was an abbot too, for fandrity much fam'd. 
•Then Woolfey will we briDg, of Weftminfter fo nam^d, 

* And by that title known, in power and goodnefs great; 

* And meriting as well his fainting, as his feat. 

^ So have we found tVee Johns, of fundry places here, 

* Of which (three reverend men) two famous abbots were. 
^ The firft Saint Albans ftiew*d, the fecond Lewes had 

* Another godly John we to thcfe former add, 

.^ Ta 



SONG THE TWENTY.FOURTH. 1141 

* To make them up a trine, (the name of faints that won) 
^ Who was a Yorkfhire qian, and prior of Burlington. 

* So Kren can we boaft, a man mod highly bleft 

* With the title of a faint, whofe afhes long did reft 

* At Dorchefter, where he was honoured many a day •, - 

* But of the place he held, books diverfly dare fay, 

* As they of Gilbert do, who founded thofe divines, 

* Monafticks all that were, of him nam*d Gilbertincs: 

* To which his order here, he thirteen houfes built, 

* When that moft thankful time, to (hew he had not fpilt 

* His wealth on it in vain, a faint hath made him here, 

* At Sempringham enftirin'd, a town of Lincolnfhire. 

* Of fainted hermits then, a company we have, 
f To whom devouter times this veneration gave : 

* As Gwir in Cornwal kept his folitary cage, 

* And Neoth by Hunftock there, his holy hermitage, 

* As Guthlake, from his youth, who liv'd a foldier long, 

* Detefting the rude fpoils, done by the armed throng, 
< The mad tumultuous world contemptibly forfook, 

* And to his quiet cell by Crowland him betook, 

^ Free from all publick crowds, in that low fenny ground. 
« As Beriiline again, was near to Stafford found : 
« Then in a foreft there, for folitude moft fit, 

* Bleft in a hermit's life, by there enjoying it. 

* An hermith Arnulph fo in Bedfordftiire became, 

* A man auftere of life, in honour of whofe name, 

« Time after built a town, where this good man did live, 

* And did to it the name of Arnulphfbury give. 

* Thefe men, this wicked world refpefted not a hw» 

* But true profeffors were of poverty and prayer. 

* Amongft thefe men which times have honoured with 

the ftile 

* Of confeflbrs, (made faints) fo every little while, 

* Our martyrs have come in, whofealed with their blood, 
^ That faith which th'other preach'd, 'gainft them that ic 

withftood ; 

* As Alnoth, who had liv'd a herdfman, left his feat, ' 

* Though in the quiet fields, whereas he kept his neat, 

Ecee 2 *A5^ 



II42 P O LT^O L B 10 N: 

* And leaving that his charge, he left the world withal, 

* An anchorite and became, within a cloifter*d wall, 

* Inclofmg up himfelf, in prayer t6 fpend his breath, 

* But was too foon (alas) by pagans put to death. 

* Then Woolftan, due of thefe, by his own kinfman flain 

* AtEuIham, (of that he did zealoufly maintain 

* The verity of Chrift, As Thomas, whom we call 

* Of Dover, adding monk, and martyr there withal ; 

* For that the barbarous Danes he bravely did withftand, 

* From ranfacking the church, when here they put on land, 

* By them was done to death, which rather he did chufe, 

* Than fee their heathen hands thofeholy things abufe. 

* Two boys of tender age, thofe elder faints enfuc, 

* Of Norwich William was, of Lincoln little Hugh, 

* Whom th' unbelieving Jews (rebellious that abide) 

* In mockery of our Chrift at Eafter crucify*d, 

* Thofe times would every one Ihould their due honour 

have, 
*His freedom or his life, for Jefus Chrift that gave. 

• So Wiltfhire with the reft her hermit Ulfrick hath 

* Related for a Taint, lb famous in the faith, 

* That fundry ages fince, his cell have fought to find, 
*AtHaffeIburg, who had hisobiits him affign*d. 

*So had we many kings moftholy here at home, 

* As men of meaner rank, which have attained that room : 
« Northumberland, thy feat with faints did us fupply 

« Of thy reUgious kings ; of which high hierarchy 

« Was Edwin, for the faith by heathenifli hands inthrall'd, 

* Whom Penda which to him the wdllh Cadwallyn callM, 
« Without all mercy flew : but he alone not dy*d 

* By that proud Mercian king, but Penda yet befide, 

* Juft Ofwald likewife flew, at Ofwaldftree, who gave 

* That name unto that place, as though time meant to lave 

* His memory thereby, there fufPring for the faith, 

* As one whofe life deferv*d that memory in death. 

f So likewife in the roll of thefe Northumbrian kings, 
JWith thofe that martyrs were, fo forth that country 

!Th* 



SONG THE TWENTY-FOURTH. 1143 

* Th'anointed Ofwin next, in Deira to enfue,, 

* WhomOfway that brute king of wild Bernitia flew: 

* Two kingdoms, which whilft then Northumberland re-* 

main'd -- 

* In greatnefs, were within her larger bounds contained ; ] 

* This kingly martyr fo, a faint was rightly crownM. 

* As Alkmond one of hers for fanftity renown'd, 

* King Alred*s chriften'd fon, a moft religious prince, 

* Whom when the heathenifti hereby no means could con- 

vince, 

* (Their paganifm apace dedining to the wane) 

* * At Derby put to death, whom in a goodly phane, 

* Cair4 by his glorious name, his corpfe the chriftians laid. 

* What fame deferv -dyour faith, (were it but rightly w :igh*d) 

* You pious princes then, in godlinefs fo great y 

* Why fhould not full-mouth*d fame your praifes oft rep/gat ? 

* So Ethelwolph her Idng, Northumbria notes again, 

* In martyrdom the next, though not the next in reign, 

* Whom his falfe fubjefts flew, for that he did deface 

* The heaf henifli Saxon gods, and bound them to embrace 
« The lively quickning faith, which then began to ^rcad. 
« So fcM- our Saviour Chrifl:, as thefe were martyred : 

< There other holy kings were likewife, who confeis'd, 

* Which thofe mofl: zealous times have fainted with the reft, 
« King Alfred that his Chrift he might more furely hold, 

* Left his Northumbrian crown, and foon became encoul'd, 

* At Malroyfe, in the land, whereof he had been king. 

* So Egbert to that prince, a parallel we bring, 

* To Ofwoolph his next heir, his kingdom that refign'd, 

* And prefendy himfelf at Lindisfcrne confined, 

* Contertining courdy ftate, which earthly fools adore : 

* So Ceonulph again as this had done before, 

* In that religious houfe, a cloifter'd man became, 

* Which many a blefled faint hath honoured with the name; 

* Nor thofc Northumbrian kings the only martyrs weret 

* That in this feven-fold rule the fcepters once did bear> 

* But that the Mercian reign,, which pagan princes longV 
^ Did terribly infeft, had fome her lords among, 

Eccc 3 f To 



II44 P O LT^O L B 10 N: 

* To the true chriftian faith much reverence which did add 

* Our martyrologe to help : lb happily (he had 

* Rufin, and Ulfad, fons to Wulphere, for defire 

* They had t'imbrace the faith, by their moft cruel fire 
^ Were without pity flain, long ere to manhood grown, 

* Whofe tender bodies had their burying rites at * Stone. 

* So Kenelme, that the king of Mercia fhould have been, 

* Before his firft feven years he fully out had feen, 

* Was flain by his own guard, for fear left waxing old, 

* That h^ the chriftian faith undoubtedly would hold. 

* So long it was ere truth could paganifm expel. 

* Then Fremund, OfFa's fon, of whom times long did 

tell, 

* Such wonders of his life and fanftity, who fled 

* His father's kingly court, and after meekly led 

* An hermit's life in Wales, where long he did remain 

* In penitence and prayer, till after he was flain 

* By cruel Ofway's hands, the moft inveterate foe 

* The chriftian faith here found : fo Etheldred fliall go 
With thefe our martyr'd faints, though only he confeft, 

* Since he of Mercia was, a king who highly bleft, 
^ Fair fiardney, where his life religioufly he fpent, 

* And meditating Chrift, thence to his Saviour went. 

* Nor our Weft-faxon reign was any whit behind 

^ Thofe of the other rules (their beft) whofe zeal we find 
^Amongft thofe (aimed kings, whofe fames are (afelicft 
kept ; 

* AsCedwal, on whofe head fuch praife all times have heap'd, 

* That from a heathen prince, a holy "pilgrim turn'd, 

* Repenting in his heart againft the truth t'have fpurn'd, 

* To Rome on his bare feet his patience exercis'dy 

* And in the chriftian faith there humbly was baptiz'd. 

* So Ethel woolph, who fat on Cedwal's ancient feat, 

* ¥qc charitable deeds, who almoft was as great 
\A& any Englifli king, at Winchefter enftirin'd, 

* A man amongft our (aints, moft worthily divin'd. 

« Two 

^ A town in Stafibrdfiiire. 



c 



SONG theTWENTY-FOURTH. 1145 

* Two other kings as much our martyrologe may fted, 

* Saint Edward, and with him comes in faint Ethelred, 

* By Alfreda, the firft, his ftepmother was flain, 

* That her moft loved fon young Ethelbert might reign t 

* The other in a ftorm, and deluge of the Dane, 

* For that he chriften'd was, received his deadly bane 5 

* Both which with wondrous coft,' the Englifh did inter, 

* At Wyftburn this firft faint, the laft at Wirichefter, 

* Where that Weft-faxon prince, good Alfred buried was 

* Among our fainted kings, that well deferves to pafs. 

' Nor were thefe weftern kings of the old Saxon drain, , 

* More ftudious in thofe times, or ftouriier did maintain 
' The truth, than thefe of ours, the Angles of the eaft, 

* Their near'ft and dear'ft allies, which ftrongly did inveft 

* The ^ ifland with their name, of whofe moft holy kings, 

* Which juftly have deferv'd their high canonizings, 

* Are Sigfrid, whofe dear death him worthily had crown'd, 

* And Edmund in his end, fo wondroufly renowned, 

* For Chrift's fake fufFering death, by that blood-drowning 

Dane, 
' To whom thofe times firft built that ^ city and thatphanc, 

* Whofe ruins Suffolk yet can to her glory fhow, 

* When ftie will have the world of her paft greatnefs know, 
' As Ethelbert again allur*d with the report 

* Of more than earthly pomp, then in the Merpian courts 
VFrom the Eaft-angles went, whilft mighty Offa reign'd ; 

* Wherefore he chriften^d was, and chrfiian-like abftain'd 

* To idolatrize witH them, fierce Quenred, Ofia's queen 

* Moft treacherouQy him flew out of th'inveterate ^leen . 
' She bare unto the faith, whom we a faint adore. 

* So Edwald brother to faint Edmund, fung before, 

* A confeflor we call, whom paft times did inter 
/ At Dorceiler by Tame, (now in our calendar.) 

. ' Amongft thofe kingdoms here, fo Kent account fliajl 
yield 

* Of three of her beft blood, who in this chriftian field 

E e € e 4 ' Were 

f A people of the Saxons, who gave the name to England, of Angles -land. 
s Saint Edndmdlbury. 



1146 P O L r^O L B 10 N: 

Were mighty, of the which, king Ethelbert fhall ftand 
The firft; who having brought faint Auguftine to landj 
Himfelf firft chriften'd was, by whofe example then. 
The faith grew after ftrong amongft his Kentilhmen. 
As Ethelbrit again, and Ethelred his pheere. 
To Edbald king of Kent, who natural nephews we/e. 
For Chrift there fufF'ring death, affume them places high, 
Amongft our martyred famts, commemorate at .Wye, 
To thefc two brothers, fo two others come again. 
And as of great defcent in the Southfexian ftrain : 
Arwaldi of one name, whom ere king Cedwal knew 
The true and lively faith, he tyrannoufly flew : 
Who ftill amongft the faints have their deferved right, 
Whofe vigils were obferv'd (long) in the ifle of Wight, 
Remembcr'd too the more, for being of one name. 
As of th'Eaft Saxon line, king Sebba fo became 
As moft religious monk, at London, where hel^ 
A ftrift retired life, a faint alive and dead. 
Related for the like, fo Edgar we admit, 
That king, who over eight did foly monarch fit. 
And with our holieft faints for his endowments great, 
Beftow'd upon the church. With him we likewife leat 
That fumptuous Ihrined king, .good Edward, from the 

reft 
Qf that reppwned name, by confeflbr exprefs'd. 
• To thefe our fainted kings, remembered in our fong, 
Thofe maids and widowM queens, do worthily belong, 
Incloifter'd. that became, and had the felf-fame ftyle. 
For fafting, alms, and prayer, renowned in oxw ifle. 
As thofe that forth to France, and Germany we gave. 
Fop holy charges there •, but here firft let us have 
Our maid-maUe-faints at home, as Hi'derlie, with her 
We Theorid think moft fit, for whom thofe times aver, 
A virgin ftriftlier vowM hath hardly lived here. 
St. Wulfftiild then we bring, all which of Barking were, 

J And reckoned for the beft, which moft that houfe did 
grace, 

• The Jaft qf which was long the abbefs of that pl#cc. 

♦So 



SONG THE TWENTY-FOURTH. lutj 

^ So Werburg, Wulphere's child, (of Mercia that had been 
' A perfecuting king) by Ermineld his queen, 

* At Ely honour'd is, where her dear mother late, 

* A reclufe had renlain'd, in her fole widow'd date: 

* Of which good Audry was king Ina's daughter bright^ 

* Refledking on thofe times fo clear a vcftal light, 

* As many a virgin-breaft (he fired with her zeal, 

* The fruits of whofe ftrong faith, to ages ftill reveal 

* The glory of thofe times, by liberties fhe gave, 

* By which thofe eaftern (hires their ^ privileges have. 

* Of holy Audrie*s too, a fitter here we have, 

* St. Withburg, who herfelf to contemplation gave, 

* At Deerham in her cell, where her due hours fhe kept, 

* Whofe death with m^ny a tear in Norfolk was bcwept. 

* And in that ifle again, which beareth Ely's name, 

* At Ramfey, Merwin fo a veiled maid became 

* Amongft our virgin-fmnts, where Elfled is inroll'd, 

* The daughter that is nam'd of noble Ethelwold, 

* A great Eaft- Anglian earl, of Ramfey abbefs long, 
^* So of our maiden-f^nts, the female fex among. 

^ ^ With Milburg, Mildred comes, and Milwid, daughters 
dear 
^ To Mervald, who did then the Mercian fcepter bear. 
^ At Wenlock, Milburg dy'd, (a moft religious mwd) 

* Of which great abbey fhe the firft foundation laid : 

« And Thanet as her faint (even to this age) doth hcry 

* Her Mildred. Milwid was the like at Canterbury. 

* Nor in this utmoft ifle of Thanet may we pafi 

* St. Eadburg abbefs there, who the dear daughter was 

* To Ethelbert her lord, and Kent's firft chriften'd king; 

* Who in this place moft fit*ft we with the former bring, 
^ Tranflated (as fome fay) to Flanders : but that I, 

f As doubtful of the truth, here dare not juftify. 

* King Edgar's fifter fo, f^nt Edith, place may have 

f With thefe our maiden-faints, who to her PowlTwortH 
gave 

> St. Ao^rie's liberties. 



1148 POL r-0 LB 10 N: 

* Immunities moft large, and goodly livings laid; 
• * Which Modwen, long before, an holy Irilh mliid, 

* Had founded in that place, with moft devout intent. I 

* As Eaafwine, Eadwald's child, one of the kings of Kent, 

* At Folkftone found a place (given by her father there) 

* In which fhe gave herfelf to abftinence and prayer. 

* Of the Weft-Saxon rule, born to three fcveral kings, 

* Four holy virgins more the mufe in order brings : 

* St. Ethelgive the child to Alfred, which we find 

* Thofe more devouter times at Shaftft)ury enfhrinM. 

* Then Tetta in ^ye take, at Winburne on our way, 
"^ Which Cuthred's fitter was, who in thofe times didfway 

* On the Weft-Saxon feat, two other facred maids, 

* As from tlieir cradles vow'd to bidding of their beads. 

* St. Cuthburg, and with her faint Quinburg, .which wc 

here 

* Succeedingly do fet, both as they fifters were, 

* And abbefles again of Wilton, whieh we gather, 

* Our virgin-band to grace, both having to their father 

* Religious Ina, red with thofe that rul'd the weft, 
•^ Whofe mother's facred womb with other faints was .blcfl:,v. 

* As after fhall be fiiewM : another virgin vow'd^ 

* And likcwife for a faint amongft the reft allowed ; 

* To th* elder Edward born, bright Eadburg, who for flie 

* (As five related faints of that bleft name that be) 

* Of Wilton abbefs was, they her of Wilton ftylM : 
« Was ever any maid more merciful, more mild, 

* Or faniSiimonious known ? But mufe, on in our fong, 

* W4th othqr prinqely mftids,, but fir ft with thofe that 

fprung 

* Fxom Penda, th2^t great king of Mercia ; holy T.wccd,^! 

* And kinifdred, \yith ttiefe their fifters, Kinifwecd» 
^ And Eadburg, laft not jeaft, at Godmanchefter all 
^ Jtndoiftqr'd 3 and to thefe faint Tibba let us call, 
5 in ibditude-tOiChrift, th^ fet her whole delight, 
? In Godmanchefter made a conftant anchorite. 

* Anftongft which of that houfe, for faints that reckoned be, 

* Yet never any one more graced the fame than Ihe. 



SONG theTWENTY-FQURTH. 1149 

Derived of royail Wood, as th* other Elfled then 
Neice to that mighty king, our Englifli Athelftan, 
At GJaftenbury (hrin'd ; and orte as great as (he. 
Being Edward Out-law's child, a maid that livM to fee 
The Conqueror enter here, faint Chriftian (to us known) 
Whofe life by her clear name divinely was foreftiown.^ 
* For holinefs of life, that as renowned were. 
And not lefs nobly born, nor bred, produce we here ; 
St. Hilda, and faint Hien, the firft of noble name. 
At Strenflialt, took her vow, the other fifter came 
To Colchefter, and grac'd the rich Effexian fhore : 
Whofe relifts many a day the world did there adore* 
And of our fainted maids, the number to fupply. 
Of Eadburg we allow, fometimeat Ailefbury, 
To Redwald then a king of the Eaft- Angles born, 
A votrefs as fincere as fhe thereto was fworn. ' 

Then Pandwine we produce, whom this our native ifle. 
As foreign pants much prized, and higher did inftyle 
The holieft Englilh maid, whofe vigils long were held * 
In Lincolnfhire -, yet not faint Fridefwid exceU'd, 
The abbefs of an houfe in Oxford, of her kind 
The wonder ; nor that place could hope the like to find 
Two fitters fo we have, both to devotion 'pleat. 
And worthily made faints ; the elder Margarite, 
Of Katefby abbefs was, and Alice, as we read. 
Her fifter on that feat, did happily fuccecd 
At Abington, which firft received their living breath. 
Then thofe Northumbrian nymphs, ail vcil'd, as full of 

faith. 
That country fent us in, t' increafe our virgin-band. 
Fair Elfled, Ofwald's child, king of Northumberland, 
At Strenfhalt that was veil'd. As 'mongft thofe many there, 
O Ebba, whofe clear fame, time never fhall out-wear. 
At Coldingham, far hence within that country plac'd ; 
The abbefs, who to keep the veiled virgins chafte, 
Which elfe thou fear'ft the Danes would ravilh, which 

poffefs-d 
This ifle j firft of thy felf and then of all the reft, 

•The 



1 



E 



] 



1156 F O L r^O L B 10 N: 

* The nofe and upper lip from your fair feces carvM, 
^ And from pollution fo your hallowed houfe preferv'd 

* Which when the Danes perceived, thdr hopes fo far dc*' 

luded, 

* Setting the houfe on fire, their martyrdom concluded. 

* As L^ofron, whofe faith with others rightly weigh'd, 

* Shall (hew her not out-match'd by any Englifh maid: 

* Who likewife when the Dane with perfecution ftorm'd, ' 

* She here a martyr's part mod glorioufly performed, 

* Two holy maids again at Whitby were renown'd, 

* Both abbefles thereof, and confeflbrs are crowned ; 

* St.Ethelfrid, with her (aint Congill, as a pair 

* Of abbefles therein, the one of which by prayer 

* The wild- geefe thence expelled, that ifland which annoy'd, 

* By which their grafs and grain was many times deftroy^d; 

* Which fall from off their wings, nor to the air can get 

* From the forbidden place, till they be fully fet. 

• As thefe within this ifle in cloiftcrs were inclos'd : 
^ So we our virgins had to foreign parts exposed ; 

* AsEadburg, Ana's child, and Sethred born our own, . 

* Were abbefles of Bridge, whofe zeal to France was known: 

* And Ercongate again we 4ikewife thither fent, 

* (Which Ercombert begot, fome time a king of Kent) 

* A priorefs of that place ; Burgundolbra bare, 

* At Eureux the chafte rule, all which renowned are 

* In France, which as this ifle of them may freely boaft> 

• So Germany fome grac'd, from this their native coaft. 

* St. Walburg here extraft from th' royal Englifli line, 

* Was in that country made abbefs of Heydentine. 

* St. Tecla to that place at Ochenford they chofc : 

* From Wynburne with the refl: (in Dorfetfliire) arofe 

* Chafte Agatha, with her went Lioba along. 

* From thence, two not theleafl: thefe facred maids amongj 

* At Kfcopfen, by time encloifl:er'd and became. 

* St. Lewen fo attainM an everliving name 

* For martyrdom, which flie at Wynokebergin wan, . 
^ Maids fecming in their fex t* exceed the holicft man. 



JONG THE TWENTY.FOURTH. 1151 

Nor had our virgins here for fandtity the prize, 
But widow'd queens as well, that being godly wife, 
JForfaking fecond beds, the world with them forfook. 
To ftridt retired lives, and gladly them betook 
To abftinence and prayer, and as fincerely liv'd. 
As when the fates of life king Eth^lwold deprived. 
That o'er th* Eaft-Angles reign'd, bright Herifwid his 

wife. 
Betaking her to lead a ftrift monaftick life. 
Departing hence to France, received the holy veil. 
And lived many a day incloifter'd there at Cale. 
Then Keneburg in this 'our fainted front (hall ftand. 
To Alfred thelov'd wife, king of Northumberland, 
Daughter to Penda king of Mercia, who though he 
Himfelf mod heathenifli were, yet liv'd that age to fee 
Four virgins, and this queen, his children, confccrated 
Of Godmanchefter all, and after faints related. 
* As likewife of this fex, with faints that doth us ftore^ 
Of theNoijhumbrian line fo have we many more ; 
Saint Eanfkd widowed left, by Ofway reigning there. 
At Strenflialt took her veil, as Ethelburg the pheerc 
To Edwin, (righdy nam*d) the holy, which poffeis'd 
Northumber's facred feat, herfelf that did inveft 
At Lymming far in Kent, which country gave her breath* 
So Edeth a§ the reft after king Sethrick's death. 
Which had the felf fame rule of Wilton abbefs was. 
Where two Weft-Saxon queens for feints fliall likewife 



Which in the felf fame houfe, faint Edeth did fucceed^ 
St. Ethelwid, which here put on her hallow'd weed. 
King Alred's worthy wife, of Weftfex ; fo again 
Did Wilfrid, Edgar's queen, (fo famous in his reign) 
ThenEadburg, Ana's wife, received as the other. 
Who as a iaint herfelf, fo likewife was flie mother 
To two moft holy maids, as we before have fhow'd 
At Wilton (which we fay) their happy time beftoVd, 
Though fhe of Barking was, a holy nun profels'd. 
Who in her hufhand's time had reigned in the weft : 



II52 POL r-0 L B 10 Ni 

* Th' Eaft-Saxon line again, fa others to us lent, 

* As Sexburg fometime queen to Ercombert of Kentf 

* Though Ina*s loved child, and Audrey's filler km>wni 

* Which Ely in thofe days did for her abbefs own. 

* Nor to faint Ofith we lefs honour ought to 'give, 

* King Sethred's widowed queen, who (when death did de- 

' prive 

* Th'Effexian king of life) became inroll'd at Chich, 

* Whofe (hrine to her there built,the world did long cnriciL ^ 

* Two holy Mercian queens fo widowed, faints became, 

* For fanftity much like, not much unlike in imme. 

* King Wulphere's widowed -pheere, queen Erminddi 

whofe life 

* At Ely is renowned, and Ermenburg, the wife 

* To Meruald reigning there, a faint may fafely pafi, 

* Who to three virgin-faints the virtuous mother was, 

* The remnant of her days, religioufly that bare, 

* Immonafter'd in Kent, where firft fhe breathM the ^. 

* King Edgar's mother fo, is for a faint prefer*d, 

* Queen Algyve, who (they fay) at Shipfton was mterr^d. 

* So Edward Outlaw^S wife, faint Agatha, we bring, 
« By Salomon begot, that great Hungarian king ; 

* Who when fhe faw the wrong to Edgar her dear fofi, 
« By cruel Harold firft, then by the Conqueror done, 

< Deprived his rightful crown, no hope it to recover, 

< A veflal habit took, and gave the falfe world over. 
« St. Maud here not the leafV, tho* (he be fet the laft, 

* And fcarcely over-match'd by any that is pafl, 
•Our Beauclcrk's queen, and born to Malcolm king of ScotV 

* Whofe fandlity was feen to wipe out all the fpots 

* Were laid upon her life, when fhe her ck)yfter fled, 

* And chaflely gave herfelf to her lov'd hufband*s bed, 

* Whom likewife for a faint thofe reverend ages chofe, 

* With whom we at this time our catalogue will clofe.* 

Now Rutland all this time, who held her highly wrongM, 
That Ihe fhould for the faints thus flrangely be prolonged 
As that the mufe fuch time upon their praife fhould fpend,, 
Sent in her ambling Wafli, fair Weliand to auend 

Ad 



SONG THE TWENTY.FOURTH,ii53 

At Stamford, which her ftream doth eas'ly overtake. 
Of whorn her miftrefs flood feems wondrous much to 

makp ; 
For that fhe was alone the darling and delight 
Of Rutland, ravifti'd fo with her beloved fight. 
As in her only child's, a mother's heart may be: 
Wherefore that fhe the leaft,yet fruitfiiirft fliire fliould fee^ 
The honourable rank Ihe had amongft the reft. 
The ever-labouring mufe her beauties thus exprefs'd. 
' Love not thy fclf the lefs, altho* the leaft thou art, 

* What thou in greatnefs want' ft, wife nature doth impart 

* In goodnefs of thy foil ; and more delicious mould, 
« Surveying all this ifle, the fun did ne'er behold. 

< Bring forth that Britifh vale, and be it ne'er fo rare, 

* But Catmus with that vale, for richnefs (hall compare : 

* What foreft nymph is found, how brave foe'er ftie be, 

* But Lyfield fhews herfelf as brave a nymph as ftie ? 

* What river ever rofe from bank, or fwelling hill, 

* Than Rutland's wand'ring Wafh, a delicater rill ? 

< Small ftiire that can produce to thy proportion good, 

< One vale offpecial name, one foreft, and one flood. 

« O Catmus, thou fair vale, come on in grafs and corn, 
« That Bever ne'er be faid thy fifter-hood to fcorn, 
f And let thy Ochapi boaft, to have no little grace, 

* That her the pleafed fates^ did in thy bofom place, 

* And Lyfield, as thou art a foreft, live fo free, 

* That every foreft nymph may praife the fports in thee. 

* And down to Welland'scourfe, O Wafli, run ever clear, 

* To honour, and to be much honoured by this (hire.* 

And here my canto ends, wWch kept the mufe fo long. 
That it may rather feem a volume than a fong. 



POLn 



r. 



t «>i* J 

P O LT-OLB 10 N: 

SONG THE TWENTY-FIFTH 

The Argument. 

^ow^rds Lincolnjhire our progrefs laid^ 
We through deep Holland's ditches wade^ 
Fowling^ andfijhing in the fen \ 
^hen come we next to Kejiiven^ 
And bringing Wytham to her fall^ 
On Lindfey light we loft of ally 
Her f cite and plea fur es to attend^ 
And with* the ifle of Axholme end. 

NOW in upon thy earth rich Lincolnfliire I ftraSn, 
At Deeping, from whofe ftreet, the plenteous ditchci 
drain. 
Hemp bearing Holland's fen, atSpalding that do fall 
Together in their courfe, themfelves as emptying all 
Into one general fewer^ which feemeth to divide 
Low Holland from the high, which on their eaftem fide 
Th'inbending ocean holds, from the Nbrfolccan lands. 
To their more northern point, where Wainfleet drifted 

ftands. 
Do fhoulder out thofe feas, and Lindfey bids her ftay, 
Becaufe to that fair part, a challenge fhe doth lay. 
From faft and firmer earth, whereon the mufe of late 
Trod with a fteady foot, now with a flower gait. 
Through quickfands, beach^ and ouzc, the Walhes fliC 

muft wade, 
^hcrc Neptune every day doth powerfully invade 



SONGthe TWENTY-FIFTH. II55 

The vaft and qucachy foil, mth hofts of wallowing wares. 
From whofe impetuous force, that who himfelf not fave8> 
By, fwift and fudden flw;hr, is fwallowed by the deep. 
When from the wrathuil tides the foaming fui^es fweep. 
The lands which lay all naked, to the wide heaven before^ 
Afid turneth all to fea, which was biut lately fliore. 
From this our fouthem part of Holland, call'd the Low, . 
Where Crowland*s ruins yet, (tho* almoft buried) ihow 
Her mighty founder's power, y^ his more chrifkian zea 
She by the mufe's aid, fhall^ppily reveal 
Her fundry (brts of fowl, from whofe abundance the 
Atx)ve all other trafts, may bodl herfelf to be 
The miftrels, (and indeed) to fit without compare^ 
And for no worthlefii foil fliould in her glory (hare. 
From her moift feat of flags, of bulrulhes and reed. 
With her juli proper pratfe, thus Holland doth proceed: 

* Ye Acherufian fens, to mine refign your glory. 
Both that which lies within the goodly territory 
Of Naples, ^ that fen Thefpofia's earth upon. 
Whence that infernal flood, the fmutted Acheron 
Shoves forth her fuUen head, as thou moft fatal fen,' 
Of which Hetruria tells, the wat'ry Thrafimen, 
In hiftory altho' thou h^hly feem'ft to boaft. 
That Hannibal by thee o'erthrew the Roman hoft. '] . 
I fcorn th* Egyptian fen, which Alexandria Ihows, 
Proud Mareotis, fhould my mightinefi oppK)fe, 
Or Scfythia, on whofe ^e the ftin doth hardly fhine^^ , 
Should her Meotis think to match with this of miMT, , 
That covered all with fhow continually doth (land. 
I ftinking Lerna hate, and the poor Libyan fand, 
Marica* that wife nymph, to whom great Neptune gave 
The charge of all his fliores, from drowmiig them to uve, 
Abidcth with me ftill upon my fcrvice prels'd,' 
And leaves theloofer nymphs to wait upon the reft: 
In jfumtxier giving earth from which I ^uare my '^peat. 
And fafl^r mdings by, for deer, /orhocfe, and neat. 

Ffff • My 

• A>nviiiplirappoledtohavetbsl ^BMIcotMof AtaM|ift« 
diaq^otthflhore. I 



1158 P O L r-0 L B i N: 

* From which to many a one, much profit doth accrue. 
- ^ Now fuch as flying feed, next thefel muftpuriiie ; 
The fca-meaw, fea-pye, guB, and curlew here do keep. 
As fearching every Ihoal, and watching every deep. 
To find their floating fly, with thar Iharppiercii^ fight, 
Which fuddeply they take, by {looping fi-om their he^;ht. 
The cormorant then comes, (by his devouring kind) 
Which flying o'er the fen, immediately doth find 
The Fleet befl: ftor'd of fllh, when from his wings at fiiU, 
Ai^ though he fliot himfclf into the thicken'd fkull. 
He under water goes, and fb the fiioal purfues. 
Which into creeks do fly, when quickly he doth chufc 
The fin that likes Wm bdt, and rifing, flying feeds. 
The ofpray oft here feen, though feldom here it breeds. 
Which over them thcvfifli no fooner do elpy. 
But (betwixt him and them, by an antipadiy) 
Turning their bellies up, as though their death they faw 
They at his pleafure lie, to ftufi^his gluttonous maw. 
* The toiling fiflier here is tewing of his net : 
The fowler is employed his limed twigs to fct. 
One underneath his horfe, to get a (hoot doth (talk ; 
Another over dykes upon his ftilts doth Walk : 
There other with their ipades, the peats are fquarii^outt 
And others from their cars, are bufily about. 
To draw out ledge and reed, for thatch and ftover fit. 
That whoibever would a landfkip rightly hit. 
Beholding but my fens, (hall \^di more fliapes be ftor^d^ 
Than Germany, or France, or Tufcan can aflford : 
And for that part of me, which men highHolbnd call. 
Where Bofton feated is, by plenteous Wytham^s fall^ 
r peremptory am, large Neptune's liquid field 
Doth to no other trad the like abundance yield* 
For that of all the feas invironing tlus ifle. 
Our Irifti, Spanifh, French, how e*er we them ehftilc, 
The German is the great'ft, and it is only I, 
That do upon the fame with niofl: advant^c Ce. 
Whftt fifli can any fliore, or Britifh fea-town (how. 
That's eatable to us^ that it doth not beitow 
•-- * Abundantly 



\ 



SONG theTWENTY-FIFTH. 1159 

^ Abundantly thexcon ? the herring king of fea, 

* The faftcr finding cod, the mackrcl brought by May, 

* The dainty fole, andT pldcc, the dab, as of their blood ; 

* The conger finely (bus'd, hot lummcr's cooleft food 5 

* The^^hiting known to all, a general wholefome difh ; 

* The gurnet, rochet, mayd, and mullet, dainty fifh ; 

* The haddodc, turbet, bert, filh nourifhing and ftrong ; 

* The thomback, and the fcate, provocative among : 

* The weaver, which although his prickles venom be, 

* By filhers cut away, whic^ buyers feldom fee : 

* Yet for the fifli he bears, ^tis not acfcounted bad ; 

* The iea-floupder is here as common as the Ihad •, , 

* The fturgeon cut to keggs, (too big to handle whole) 
^ Gives many a dainty bit out of hb lufty jole. 

* Yet of rich ?^eptune*s ftore, whilft thusl idly chat, 

* Think not that all betwixt die wherpool, and thefprat^ 
^ I go about the name, that were to uke in hand, 

* The atomy to tell, or to call up the fand ; 

^ But on the Englifh coaft, thofe moft that ufua! are, 

* Wherewith the ftalls fix>m thence do fiimifti u^ for ftrc 1 

* Amongft whofe fundry forts, fmce thus far lam in, 

^ ril of our ihell-fifh fpeak, with thefe of Icale and fin : 
^ The fperm-increafing crab, much cooking that doth 
aflc, 
« Thcbig-legg*d lobftcr, fit for wanton Venus* talk, 

* Voluptuatics oft take rather than.for food, 

^ And that the fame ejBFeft which worketh in the blood . 
« The rough long oyfter is, much like the lobfter limb'd ; ' 
•The oyfter hot as they, the mullc often trim^d 

* With Client pearl within, as thereby natpre IhowM, 

< That Ihe fomefecret gopd had on that IhellbeftowMe 

* The fcallop cordial judged, die dsunty wilk and limp, 

* The periwinde, prawn, the cockle, and the Ihrimp, 

< For wanton women's taftes or for wwk ftomachs bought.* 

'When Keftiven this while that ceruinly had thought, 

Ffffg . Her 



lier tongue would ne'er . hav& ftopt^ quocb /he^ ^ O Bdw I 
hate, 

* Thus of her foggy Fens» to hcai: rucfe iHloilaiid prafef# 

* That with her fifti and fowl^ herb keepcth fuch a c©*^ 

* As her unwholefom air, and more uo'wholeibm fi^il, 

^ For thefe of which (he boafts^ the more nvght fulSer'd be i 
^ When thofe her feather'd flocks i)ie llends not0ut to me) 

* Wherein clear Witham they, and many a little lH'0Qk» 

* (In which the fun it felf n>ay wcllbc^oud to look) 

* Have made their flefli morfc fweet by my refined foodg 

* From that fo ramifli taft of hgr moft fu^fom mud^ 

^ When the toil'd cater home them to the Utchei). bring;, 
^ The cook doth caft them out, as moft unlavour^ tbings« 

* Befides, what is Ihc elfe, but a foul wopfy marfli» 

« And that fhe calls her grafs, b hkdy is, and hard), 
^ As cuts the cattel's moiiths, conftr^n'd thereon to feed, 
< So that my pooreft: trafti^ which mine call rufli and ree^J, 
^ For litter fcarcely fit, th^t to th? dung I throw, 
^ Doth like the penny grais, or the pure clover (how^ 
^ Compared Xvith her beft : and for her fundry filb^ 
^ Of wWch (he freely boafts, to furnifti e|rery diih* 

* Did not full Ntptune's fields tp furnifh her wit^ ftore^ 
^ i^hofe in the* ditches bred, within her inuddy moor, 

* Are of lb earthy tafte, as that the ravenous crow 

* Will rather ftarve, thereon her ftamach t)|aa bcAow. 

^ From Stamford as akppg m; trad toward i lincoln 
••;l|»ihs,- /; "\ 

* Wifat ihire is there can daow more, valuable \^hi9 , : 
' Of foil tha,n is in me ? or where can tliere be ibimd^ 

* So fair and, fertile fields, qr flie^p walks near fo ioiiod? 

* Where dM.\i the plealant aif r^^ a fweet^r '^t^iih i 
' What couc^try Qia product; a delicater heat^, 

^ Tkan that i^hicbher fan* nanaelrcHn ^A^^ holdl 

^T^o^gh all.tb^ nqgliboufing^ibire^ ^^^hpfis praifefi^ 

: ftuibetdd, v^vv: : . '• ' 

* Which Flora in the fpring dotii with fuch wealth adcm, 
5. That Bever needs not mucfe W company to fcorn, 

♦ * * Though 
; Ancafitr heatk 



SONGthbTWENTY.FZFTH. ii6l 

^ Though fhe a vale lie low, and this a heath fit h^^ ^ 
' Ycc doth fjie not alqne, allure the wondrmg eye ' \ 

* With profpeft from each part, but that her pliant ground 
^ Gives aU that may conteat, the weU-breathM hbffe ffii 

hounds 

* And from the Brit5un$ yet, to flipw what then Twas^' ; -» 
^ One of the Roman ways near through my midft did p^ s 
^ Beiide$. to ?iy much pt;^, there hath been in my n>oyid 
^ Their ^inted payemei>t^ fouqd, apd arms of perfp^gold. 

* They near the Saacons rdgri,.th^ in this traft did 4wdl| 
^AJl other of thi3 ifle, for that they would txiccl 

*Tar c&ircKes cyW]^ where, fb rich and goodly rcar'4 ' * 

* In .every little dorp, that after-times have fcar'd 

^ If^attempt fo jnighty works j yet one above the r^ 

* In wlM^jit\may be t^pfl^bt, they ftrpve tpdp their bcfe 
^ Of plcal^t Granthaoi i^,. thaf pitamis {b h^gh, 

* Reared (as it might Ijie liought) to over-top d»c fkj^ . 

* The traveller thai ftrike^ iftto a wondrous maze^ 

* As on Ills htprle he fit$^ 6^ that: proud hei^ to gaze,* 

When ' Wy tham that •^hja while a lift'ning e^ had laid^ 
To heajrkcn (for her f^) wlut Kefliven had faid^ 
Much pleas^jd with this reppr^ for that flie was the earA 
From wboni fhe only hia^ her fweet and ieafon'd birth, 
From/.Wy tham which that name derived from her fytipgi^ 
Thus as ihe trips along, this dainty riv'let fings, 

^ Ye eafy ambling £^eafnst which way ibe'er you ruq, 

* Or towards the pleafant rifet or towards the mid*day fxmz 

* By which (as fome fuppoTe by uie thajc have them cry '^j^ 

* Your waters in their cpurfe are neajdy purifyM. 

* Be what you are, or can, I not yppir bcaUtiesfcar^ 

« When Neptune fhall conoynjuod 5ie Naiades t'^qppcaTt ^ /^ 

* In^rtver what is found, in ifnp thaf.if not Xfit : ^ ^ ^ ^ ' 

* Yet J6>r my \¥ell-f ed yikcs, t am wxm9Ut eopaparc*^ . ' ^ 7 ^ 

* Frpm Wythapai min?^i#wii .wwn^ firflt iRa^or'd mt^ ipy 

ipurce, . . . : ■ ?\ ' 

f As to the eaftcrn fca, 1 i^^n on lay^cwrife, .. ;.v o * 



Ti6* P LT^O L BIO K: 

« Who iSDe$ fo plealanc plains, or is of fairtr (cent 
•Whofcfwainsinihci^erdsgraty, and girls in lincolnf 

green? 
! Whilft fame the lings of bells, and Ibme the bag-pipes 



^ Dancemanjr a merrjr round, and many a hydegjr. 
^ lenvy, any brook Ihouldin my pleaTure IhaiC, 
5 Yet for my dainty pikes, I am without compare. 

^ No land-floods can me force to over*pro ikI a hcigjit-, 
^ Nor am I in my courfe, too crooked^ 0|r too ftrdght : 

* My depths fall by defcents* too long, nor yet too bitadf 
^ My fbnds with pebbles, clear as orient pearls, are ftrowMi 
^ My'gentle winding banks^ with fundry flowers arc dre&^d, 

• The h^her riling heaths, hold difl:ancci with my h^caftr 
^Thusto her proper fimg, the burthen flill iheUarei 

^ Yet for'my dauity pikes, I am ^^ithout compare.*. 

By this to Lincoln come, upon whofe lofty fate, 
VfUWi wiftly Wy tham look^ with wonderful del^t, 
Epampur'd of the fbate, and beauty of the place^ 
That her of all the reft efpecially doth grace. 
Leaving her former courfe, in which (he firft iet forth, 
WIfich.ieemed to have been dire£Hy to the north ; 
She runs her filver front into the muddy Fen, 
Which lies into thc.caft, in' her deep journey, when 
Clear Ban a pretty brook, from lindfey coming down, 
DeiHciogs Wytham leads to holy * Botulph*s town, 
WKere proudly Iheputs in amongft the great refort, 
.That their appearance make in Neptune's watry court.' 

Now I^ndfeyaUtWs while, that duely did attend. 
Till both her rivals thus' had fully made an end 
Of thor h tedious talk, when hftly (he replies ; 

* Lo, braveljrhere ilic fits, t^at both your dates defies. 
^ Fair Liiicolh is mine own, which lies upon my fbutb, 

^ As likfcvnfe to the north, great Humber*s (welling mouth 

♦ Endrcles me, 'twixt which in length I bravely lie : 

• P,who can me thc^bcft, before them both deny ? * 
^'•" . *Nor 

s Lincoln aacindv djrcd ite bcft L ^ Botohh^s town contraaccflr 
(lecnofEnglaiKi* "'" (Mbi. 



SONQ THiTWENTY-FlFTH. 1163 

^ Nor Britain in her bounds^ fcarce fiich a trad can fhow, 
^ Whole ihorc like to the back of a well bended bow^ 
' The ocean bearcth out, and every where ta thick, 
*The village and doips upon my bofom ftlck^ 

* That it is very hard for any to define, 

' WhjCther up-land moft 1 1^, or moft am maridnc. 
^ What is there that cpmpleat can any country make, 
^ That in larg^ meafure I, (fair JLindfey) not partake, 
^ As healthy heaths, and woods, fair dales, and piealant 
\hUls, 

* AU watered here and there, with prcttv creeping rills, 
^^ pafture, mellow glebe, and of that kind what can 
^ Gire nourifliment to beaft, or benefit to man, 

* AsKeftivai doth boaft, her Wytham fo have I, 

* My Ancum (only mine) whofe fame as far doth fly, 

* For fat and dainty eels, as hers doth for her * pike, 

^ Which makes die proverb up, the world hath not the 

Jike. 
^ From Razin her clear fprings, w|iere firft (he doth arrive^ 

* As in an even courie, to Humber forth doth drive, 

* Fair Barton ihe fidutes, wluch firom her (cite out-braves 

* Rough Humber, wh«n hf ftnves to fflTew his fterneft 

waves. 

^ Now for my ^ bounds to fpeak, few trads (I think) 
there be, 
^ ( And fearch tiiroQgh all this ifie) to parallel wkh me : 
^ Great Humber hc^ mc north, (as I have fiud before) 
^ From^hom (even) all along, upon the eaftern fliore, 
^ TheGerman ocean lies ; and on my Ibodiem ilde, 
'Clear Wytham in her courie, me fi^rly doth dii^de 
' From Holland ; and from thenceth? FolHyke is my bound, 
^ Which our firft Henry cut from Lincdn, where he found, 
^ Commodities by Trent, firom Humber to convey : 
^ So nature the clear Trent doth fortunately lay, 
^ To ward me on the weft, though hrAet I extend, 
^ And in my larger bounds do latgely comprehend 

• FuU 

fWythamBd^aal Anoimpike, I » ThsbouadtpfKeffirea. 
tnall the w^ld'ihcrc is noncfyke. 



ii64 rP L r^O L B I Q Nr 

Full Axholme, (which thofe near, the fertile do inftik) 
Which Idle, Don, and Trent, imbraciog make an ifle*. 

• But wherefore of my bounds, thus, iihly do I boaft. 
When that which Holland feems tp vaunt her on the mcft 
By me is overmatch'd ; the fowl which (he doth bredi: 
She in her foggy fens, fo mooiiflily .doth feed. 
That phyfick oft forbids the patient th^m for food. 
But n)ine more airy are, and make finclpirits andblood: 
For near this batning ille in me is to be fcen> 
More than on any earth, the plovef gray, and green. 
The corn-land loving quail, the daintieft of our bits> ■ 
The raile, which feldom comes, but upon rich mens l^i^ : 
The puet, godwit, ftint, the palate that allure. 
The mifer, and do make a wafteful epicure: 
The knot, that call^ was Canutus^ bird of old. 
Of that great king of Danes, his name that (till doth hold* 
His appetite to pleafe, that f^ aild'near was (ought. 
For him (as fome have faid) froni Denmark hither brought 
The dotterel^ which we think a v-ery d^nty diffi, 
Whofe taking makes fuch Iport, a3 ipa^ no more can Wi(h } 
For as you creep, or cowr, or liei cwrKoep, or go. 
So marking you ^with care) the apitfi liofd doth do^ . 
And ading every' thing, doth never rhark the net,^ 
Till he be in the fnare^ wluch men for hiai hsvt &u 
The big-bon^d buft^ then, whole* body bevs that fize. 
That he againfl: tjze. wind muft xttn, ,c*er lie can rife :. ;. 
The ihoukr,. wluc^io (hakes the ak with (aily y^w^l, -- 
l^Hat ever as he B^ ftill wotil^ think he fiiigs. "- * 
Tfiefe fow^' wth ctthet £^^^ althoikh they frequent^ 
Yet arc they found nic^.fwoet and oeBfatc in ine/^ ' 
.Thus w:hy(t (he Joeo^s t'extol inhcrijeculiar prjiiie, 
live mule which iecm^d too flacky m tbete tx)o low-jntcht 

For nobler height prepares, her oblique coqrle, and. cafts 
A new lx>ok tdJbq^ ,aa end of thkikei)afl|e9/ ,. . . . 



poin 



Im^s^x 



v.- 



P O LT'O LB 10 ^: 

O N O i-Hfi T WE N •T Y - S iXtU, 

■ J ■[ "... ■•/»-... 

The A&oir^sNt. , fl 

"Three jhhei at once thhj^n^njf^i^ 
By various and unufualiv^yf. 
Jlt Noitingbamfirfi cofhtn^ in^. 
The vale of Sever iotb iegfn ; 
to^*rds Le'fter tben her cmrfejhe bdfds^ 
jnd failing o*er the pkafant Oulds^ 
Sbefetcbetb Soare down from ber^fprings^ 
By Cbamwood^ wbicb /a t'reritfhe brin^s^ 
€benfb&uo5 the braveries tfftbat floods 
Makes Sberwoodjing ber Robtn Hood j 
Tben rofifi^es up tbe aged Peak^ 
And of her wondiTs makes berfpeak : 
Tbince Jbarwin down ^ TitAy ienS^i ' 
And at berfall^ to 7reM^ ^Hends. ' 

.TOWfcarcdyonthistAftthftttfuifeH^ 
11 Incfining to the fouth/ boi'lfe^tt^s batrn^ 
x:eiveth her to gucft, ^hoife cSOiWtete had tab long 
It off heV iighxM praifc, Vhtfff' thus her feff Ihe i&Mg. 
* Three • m^ there Sire X<lU6th flie>m me their parti 

' that claim, 
irge Linc61fl,!Riitlahd riAi, Snd A^hO«h*srcyc Netting* 

ham. ' 
It in the lal! if tliefe fimSt fhoft of ifie dttth lie, 
} ibat my W<jftr-lov*d IKirfe ihy feJf I muft apffly/ 

- "^■' ' Not 



ii66 POL r^O LB I O N: 

Not Eu(ham chat proud nymph^ although (he Hill pie^ 
tend 
Herfelfthe firft of vales, and though abroad (he fend 
Her awful dread command, that all (hould tribute pay 
To.her as our gireat queen % nor White-hotfe, tfaoi^ her 

clay 
Of filver feem to be, new meltedt nor the vale 
Of Alfbury, whofe grafi icenis g^ven out by tale^ , 
For it fo filkoi is, nor any of our kind. 
Or what, or where they be, or how(be*er inclinM, 
Me ^ Bever (hall outbrave; that in my ftate do fcom. 
By any of them all (once) to be overborn. 
With thdrs, do bat compare the country where I lie. 
My Hill^ and Oulds will fay, they are the ifland's eye. 
Confider next my fcite, and fay it doth excel ; 
Then come unto my foil, and you. (hall f^ it (well 
Vnth every grafs and grain, that Britain forth can bring : 
I challenge any vale, to (hew me but that thing 
I cannot fhew to her, (that truly is mine own) 
Be(ides I dare thus boaft, that I as far am known. 
As any of them all, the fouth their names doth found. 
The ipacious north doth me, that there is (carcely (bund, 
A roomth for any eUe, it is fo fillM with mine. 
Which but a little wants of making me divine : 
Nor barren am of brooks, for that I (lill retun 
Two neat and dainty rills, the litde Snyte, and Deane, 
That from the k>vely Oulds» their beauteous parent Q>Bipg 
From the Leiceftrian fielcji^, come on with me akuig, * * 
Till bodb, wi(hb one bank^ they on my north are meint, 
And.wl^re I cnd^ they fall, at Newark, into Trent/ . 
, Hence wiaindring as ;he mx& delightfully beholds . 
The beauty of the large,' and goodly fuU-flock'd OuMs, 
Sheon the lejft hand leaves old Leicefter, and flies. 
Until the fqtile earth glut her in&uate eyd. 
From rich to richer ftUl^ tliat rifcth hex before i 
Until (he (fome to.ceale upon the head of Scare, 

^ Not a more plal^nt ytlcm all Cmt Aritaio^ dim Bever« 



9 0NG THE TWENTY-SIXTH. 1167 

Where * Fofle, and * Wading cut eacli other m that cdavk 

ft.t * Sharnford, where at BrB: her foft and genBe iburce, 

Fo her but ihallow banks, begumeth to r^sar^ 

^f all this beauteous ifle, the delicate^ air ; 

V\^hence (bftly Tallying out^ as loth the plate to leave^' 

She Sence a pretty rill doth courteoufly receive : 

For Swift, a little brook, which certainly (he thought 

Down to the bafinks of Trent would fafely her have brought, 

Becaufe their native fprings'fo nearly were ally'd. 

Her filler Soare fprlobk, and wholly her apply 'd 

To Avon, as widi her continually to keep, 

And wait onlier along to the Sabrihian deep. 

Thus with her hand-maid Sence, the Soare doth easily 
ffide : 

By Leicefter, where yet her ruins Ihow her pride, 
I>emoHfh'd many years, that of the great foundation 
Of her long buried walls, men hardly fee the ftadoh ; 
Yet of fome pieces found, fo fure tlus cement locks 
The ftohes, that tUMf remsun like perdurable rocks: 
Where whUft the lovely Soare, wito many a dear embrace, 
Isrfolacing Her felf with this deli^tful place, ' * 

The •fotcft, which the name of that brave town doth bear. 
With many /l goodly wreath, crowns her difhevePd hair. 
And in her gallant green, her lufty livery Ihows 
Her felf to this fair floods which mildlv as flie flow^ / 
Redprocally likes her length and breadth to fee. 
As alio how ihe keqps her fertile purluesr free : 
The herds of fallow deei^ fhe on the liwns doth feed; 
As haying in her felf to fumilh every need. 
But now fince gehde; Sbitre, fuch Itifure feems to take,* 
The imife in her behalf tjhis ftrong defence doth make, , 
Againft the neighbour floods, for that which tax her f9; ' 
And her a channel call, becaufe (he is to flow. 
The caufe is that fhe lies upon fo low a flat. 
Where nature mofl; of all befriended her in that, 

Thft 

^ T&t 2 bmtm ways of En^d. I ^ A little riUage at the rllir g of 
U^ih^tfS^. " I Soare. 

I 'I^ioener foreft* 



ii6d pot r^V t B 10 I^: 

The Ippgct to enjoy the good flie doth pofleft : • ' 

For h^d thofe (widi fucb ipeed that forward ^em Co pr^ |J 

S© many dainty m^Si^^ aod jpaftures. -theirs to be, . i 

They thea would wifti tljfimfelves to be as flow ^ (be, l 

Wh6 well .may be qpqipar^d to (bme yQung tender nui4 i 

Entrjng fome prjjice's coyrt^which.^ &f panjp arrajr'd^ ^ 

\Vhp.led frgm room fo room amasta 13 to Tee. 

The furnitures and jljta^ ysf\pch all .ijpl^^eries be^ 

The rich god fumptUQOsW^t ^i^^^^f^^^vcrb phimiiSi 

And various as the fu.t^$» ifo vjaiious ti^ j^ 

Large gallerie$,'wher,e jpiflge with piece domfeem to flrMre^ 

Of pi6Uir«^ dphj? tp ^fe^ landfkip^ and |pier^)e(aiyc, 

iTherice g(K)dIy garden^ fees, where antique ftatues ftand 

In ilone j^pd i^QPPCr^ ^ut by n;iany a.ildljki hand^ ... 

Where -^ylery d^ing to, jpaze, her more ajid more e^uces^ 

Tlunkipg jut pnce ffie i?!cs a thoufaod ptradifes, 

Goe^fo&jT 00, as jlx^gJiijiefQre flie faw the laft^ 

She. lQt^4 ^^}f^ f^fi» wi^t. ihe tiad flightly paft* V - 

So jrfie. eo^f ing foil iKe Spare along doth lead, 

As wohdring in hflfidJ^ it many a fpac^ous mead ; 

Vfktn ChaKOWSwJ frow. fhe rocks faUites her wiibdjl 

.; ^%btr . ...! . ... .^.. ....,,. . 

(Of many a wpod ,^ /W[q«>'d) her d^f liog aod ddija^ 

Whofc beauty wh5^;^hat Soare is p^uGng p bj^ljicjla . . 

Cleai* Wreakiri cpttiing ia, frpm W4cham on the Ghj^; 

Brings Eye,, a preEty brool^, to bear her fjlver txaiq^ 

Whioh on by jVl^lKon wake, aj^d trippipg o'er tfce plaju^^ 

Her^ finding her rurpriai^'d with proud Mountrforrct> jjg^ 

By^wcH^ening of liipr Qourffc, moreeas'ly dothinii^* 

Hfer jto the goodly:,%ent, where as ^t, goes aloifft. . . .^m 

By jUowgbborougl^^^^ fli^ thus of tbatf^ir foreft ^ing.!.. " ? 

* O Charnwooii, be. thou callM the choice^ of mr^yto^ 

The Uke in any ylace, what flood hath hapt to fji^ i 

No traft in all thjs ifle, the proudqil iet her be. 

Cap fhew a fylvasi nymph, for beauty liketotKee:! 

Xi^ iatyrs, and the fawns, by Dian /et i;^ jj^^p. 

Rough hills, and foreft holts, were fadly ken tt> weep^ 

' When 
i 



\ 



SONG -Pirt TWfiNTY-SIXTR ntg 

^hen thy high-palmed harts the ^XHt df bows and hounds> 
Sy gripple borderers hands, were banifhed thy grounds. 
(lie pnades that were wont about thy lawns to rove. 
To trip from wood to wood, and 4cud from groVe to grove, . 
Dn ' Sfaarpley that were feen, and^ Cadman's aged focks, 
A^gainft the rifuig lun^ to braid their Tilver locks i 
And with the hsuinelefi Elves, on heathy Bardon's fadght. 
By Cynthia's colder beams it> play them night by night, 
BEddlM their fweet abode, to potk-bafe^ 
They^ with the •cm^cs that liv'd, adwvrith the cAks are dead. 
Who will defcribe to Kfe, a for^eft;, fct hinl take 
Thy fiuiace tb lumfelf, nor AiaU he need to make * 
<Uiother Arm at alt^ • where oft'4af thee is found 
Fine fharpbut «fy hills, which rttrerently are crown'd 
Vfiih agoi aiktiijiie kt)cks, to which the goats and fheep, 
CTo him that ftknds renKte) do Toftly ieem to creep, 
Tognawchctiltldlfiinibs, ondseir.fteep iide^ that grow^ 
TJpoa whoie odM* {iart, on Jom^ 'deii;:cnding :bh>w, 
Idvsfi Abnes at^ ,h»^ng out^t as,,fihoklgh diey dowa would 
r?v.> d«ip,> >»' r- ■ -■ ■ .■'.•■ 'y ■ ■■ ^^f-v: * 
Vfbtaic iKider^^wing oaks^ -ontfaeicokl'flioukleraiffop' 
The 'Others hcwy -heads, whidiftiUfeem .to decline. 
And in adimMefidar, (eveilasiapbce divine^ . -••> 
JFor coBttfnDpla^ fit) ah xvy-^dd bower, ": * ,;.. ..." 
As native hadthtr^ ordamM.iaairiylvan pd^Rer ; ' * . 
As men Mnyy^j dk at great aflemfaliesiec, :.:;/- 
Wtoo nUny 4lC m^ choke, «nd wondred beaiitie» b* : 
Fgc ftfltttfd one doth feem riiei)eftiawafiio.bear^!'> 
IQkothertoher^fli^, to (bnd bdycmd cooipaws >i 
Another for iiie 'fine compo&reof frfacei : s:^ - • i 
Aiiodier fluM oftheie, yet fora modcft graoeio:. : 
Before them 4H prcifer'd ; ammgft the r^ ytvujnt^ - 
Adjudged by sdl'tQ^be, fo j)erFeft paragon, -.'l :>^ 
That^ all thofe paxts in her together ^iimply d«il^: \r:i 
For which dhe k>ther do fo ^fverally exost v > -. -:,-.' 

f Two mighty rodt^fo tM Ibiift/ t A lillln theforeft. 



i!7o FO tr-OL B ION: 

My Charnwood like the laft, hath in her felf alone^ 
What cKcllcnt can be in any fbreft (hown/ 

On whom when thus the Soart had thefe highpraiies Tpeot, | 
She eafily Aid away into her foverei|gn Trent, 
Who having wandcr'd long, at length bcgJMi to leave 
Her native country*8 bounds, and kindly dodi receive 
The Icffer Tame, and Mefe, the Mds a dainty rill, 
Ne^ Charnwood riling firft, where (he be^ to ^1 
Her banks, which all her courfe on both fides do abound 
With heath and finny oMs^ and often gleaby ground, 
Till Croxal -s fertil earth doth comfort her at laft 
When (he is entring Trent j but I yras lUce t'have paft 
The other Sence, whofe feurce doth rife not &- from hers, 
By Ahcor, that her felf to fiimous Ttent prefers^ 
The fecond of that name, allotted to this ^ iliire» 
A narpe but hardly found in any place but here % 
Nor is to many known, this country that frequent. 

But mufe return at laft, attend the princely Tmr, 
Whoibaining on in ftate, the north's impnious flood. 
The third of England caird, with many a dainty wood, 
Beingcrown'd toBurtoncomes^toNeed^ood vjrhere (he fiMWf 
Her (e{f in all her pomp v and as from thence fhe flows, 
She takes in(o her train rkh Dove, and Darwin deaf^ 
Darwin, whofe fount and &11 are both m Derbyfliire s 
And of.thde tlurty &x)ds,that wait the Treiit upon. 
Doth ftand without compare, the very paragon. 

Thus wand'rii^ at her wiU, as uncontroulM flie ranges, 
Her often varying form, as varioufly and changes. 
Firft £rwa£h, and then Lyne, fweet Sherwood iends herioi 
Then teoking wkle, as one that newly wakM had been, 
Saluted from the north, with Nottingham's proud hdg^tff 
So ftrpi^y is furprii^d, and taken with the fight. 
That flie nr6m,running wild, but hardly can refratnt 
To view in how great ftate, as (he along doth fl:rain. 
That brave ezaltM feat, bdhokleth her in pride. 
As how thelarge-fprcad meads upon the other fide, 

^T!M rifcn of one ;tfsie in ^Q» ftiie. 



SONOthe TWENTYrSIXTH. 1171 

All flourifliing in flowers, and rich embroideries drefs*d, 
In which (he fees hcrfelf above her neighbours blefey. 
As wrap^d with the delights, that her this profpedt brings^ 
In her peculiar praife^ lo thus the river fings : 

* What fhould I care at aU) from what my namel $ake> 
That thirty doth import, that thirty rivers make ; 
My greatnefs what it is, or thirty abbeys great. 
That on my fruitful banks, times formerly did feat t 
Or thirty kinds of fifh that in my ftreams do live. 
To me this name of Trent did from that number give. 
What reck 1 ? let great Thames, finc6 by his fortune he 
Is fovereign of us all that here in Britain be ; 
From Ifis, and old Tame, his pedigree derive : 
And for the fecond place, proud Severn that cjof h Arive^ 
Fetch her deicent from Wales, from that prpiud mountain 

fprung, 
Plinillimon, whole praife is frequent them amfimg5 
As of that princely maid, whofe name fbe boa(Ls to beaf^ 
Bright Sabrin, whom (he holds as her undiQuixcd hek. 
Let thefe imperious floods draw down their io9g delcenc 
From thefe fo famous ftocks, and only lay of Trent, 
That Mooreiand's barren earth me firS: to light did bring,' 
Which though (he be but brown, my ckar compleicion'd 

fpring 
Gain'd with the nymphs fuch grace, th^ when I firft di4. 

rife. 
The Naiades on my brim* dancM wanton hydagics, 
And on her fpacious breaft, (with heaths that doth abouod) 
Encircled my fair fount with many a lufty round t 
And of the Britifh floods, though but the third I be. 
Yet Thames and Severn both in ttias conie (hort oi me, 
For that I am the mere of Englajnd, that divides 
The north part from the fouth, pn my fo either fides. 
That reckoning how thefe traces in compafs be extent, 
Men bound them on the north, or on the fouth of Trent ; 
Their banks are barren fands, if but compared with mine, 
Tlirough my perfpicuous breafl:, the pearly pebbles Ihine; 

Gggg I 



II72 POL r^O L B 10 N: 

I throw my chryftal arms along the flow'ry vallies. 
Which lying fleck and fmooth as any garden-alleys. 
Do give me leave to play, whilft they do court my ftream. 
And crown niy winding banks with many an anadem : 
My filver-fcaled flculls about my ftreams do fweep. 
Now in the fliallow fords, now in the falling deep : 
So that of every kind, the new fpawnM numerous fry 
Seem In me as the fands that on my fhore do lie. 
The barbell, than which fifh a braver doth not fwim. 
Nor greater for the ford within my fpacious brim. 
Nor (newly taken) more the curious tafte doth pleafe; 
The greling, whofe great fpawn is big as any peafe ; 
The pearch'with pricking fins, againft the pike prepared. 
As nature had thereon beftow'd this ftronger guard. 
His daintinefs to, keep, (each curious palate's proof ) 
From his vile ravenous foe : next him I name the ruffe, 
His very near ally, and both for fcale and fin. 
In tafie, and for his bait (indeed) his next of kin , 
The pretty flcnder dare, of many calt'd the dace. 
Within my liquid glafs, when Phoebus looks his face. 
Oft fwiftly as he fwims, his filver belly fiipws. 
But with fuch nimble flight, that ere ye can difclofe 
His fhape, out of your fight like lightning he is fliot. 
The trout by nature marked with many a crimfon fpot. 
As though (he curious were in him above the reft. 
And of frefli- water fifli, did note him for the bcft; 
The roche, whofe common kind to every flood doth fall ; 
The chub, (whofe neater name) which fome a chevin call, 
Food to the tyrant pike, (moft being in his ix)wer) 
Who for their numerous ftore he moll doth them devour ; 
The lufty falmon then, from Neptune's wat'ry realm. 
When as his feafon ferves, ftemming my tideful ftream. 
Then being in his kind, in me his pleafure takes, 
(For whom the fiflier then all other game forfakes) 
Which bending of himfelf to th' fafliion of a ring. 
Above the forced weares, himfelf doth nimbly fling. 
And often when the net hath drag*d him fafe to land, 
k ieen by natural force to 'fcape his murderer's hand ; 

Whofe 



SONG THE TWENTY-SIXTR 1173 

Whofe grain doth rife in flakes, with fatnefs interlarded. 
Of many a liquorifh lip, that highly is regarded* 
And Humber, to whofe wafte 1 pay my wat'ry ftore. 
Me of her fturgeons fends, that I thereby the more 
Should have my beauties grac'd with fomething from him 

fent: 
Not Ancum*s filver'd eel excelleth that of Trent 5 
Tho* the fweet fmelling fmelt be more in Thames than me. 
The lamprey, and his ' lefle, in Severn general be ; 
The flounder fmooth and flat, in other rivers caught. 
Perhaps in greater fl:ore, yet better are not thought : 
The dainty gudgeon, loche, the minnow, and the bleake. 
Since tfiey but litde are, I little need to fpeak 
Of them, nor doth it fit me much of thofe to reck. 
Which every where are found in every little beck ; 
Nor of the crayfifli here, which creeps amongfl: my flones. 
From all the reft alone, whofe ftiell is all his bones : 
For carp, the tench, and breame, my other ftore among. 
To lakes and ftanding pools, that chiefly do belong. 
Here fcouring in my fords, feed in my waters clear. 
Are muddy fi(h in ponds to that which they are here.* 
From Nottingham, near which this river firft begun. 
This fong, flie the mean while, by Newark having run. 
Receiving little Snyte, from Bever*s batning grounds. 
At Gainnx)rongh goes out, where the Lincolnian bounds. 
Yet Sherwood all this while, not fatisfied to ftiow 
Her love to princely Trent, as downward flie doth flow. 
Her Meden and her Man, (he down from Mansfield fends 
To Iddle for her aid, by whom fhe recommends 
Her- love to that brave queen of waters, her to meet, 
When flie towards Humber comes, do humbly kifs her feet. 
And clip her till flic grace great Humber with her fall. 
When Sherwood fomewhat back the forward rnufe doth call; 
For (he was let to know, that Soare had in her fong 
So chanted Charnwood's wordi, the rivers that along, 

G g g g 2 AmoDgft 

' Tlie lamparae. 



II74 POL r^O L B I N: 

Amongft the neighbouring nymphs, there was no other 

lays. 
But thofe which feem'd to found of Charnwood, and her 

praife : 
Which Sherwood took to heart, and very much difilain'd, 
(As one that had both long, and worthily maintained 
The tide of thegreat*ft, and bravcft of her kind) 
To fall fo far below one wretchedly confined 
Within a furlong's fpace, to her large (kirts compar'd : 
Wherefore fhe as a nymph that neither fcar'd nor carM 
For ought to her might cliance, by others love or hate, 
With rdblution arm'd againft the power of fate. 
All felf-praife fet apart, determincth to fing 
That lufty Robin Hood, who long time like a king 
Within her compafs liv'd, and when he lift to range 
For fome rich booty fet, or elfe his air to change. 
To Sherwood ftill retir'd, his only ftanding court, 
Whofe praife the foreft thus doth pleafantly report : 

* The merry pranks he play'd, would alk an zgt to tell, 
And the adventures ftrange that Robin Hood befell. 
When Mansfield many a tunc for Robin hath been laid, 
How he hath coufen*d them, that him would have betray'd ; 
How often he hath come to Nottingham difguis'd. 
And cunningly efcap'd, being fet to be furpriz'd. 
In this our fpacious ifle, I think there is not one. 
But he hath heard fome talk of him and litde John ; 
And-to the end of time, the tales fliall ne*er be done. 
Of Scarlock, Gcorge-a-Green, and Much the miller's fan, 
Of Tuck the merry friar, which many a fermon made 
In praife of Robin Hood, his ouc-Uvvs, and their trade. 
An hundred valiant men had this brave Robin Hood, 
Still ready at his call, that bow-men were right good. 
All clad in Lincoln green, with caps of red and blue. 
His fellow's winded horn, not one of them but knew. 
When fetting to their lips thdr little beugles fhrill. 
The warbling ecchos wak'd from every dale and hill : 
Theirbauldricks fet with ftuds, athwart their fhoulderscaft, 
To which under their arms their fheafs were buckled iaft, 

A 



SONG theTWENTY-SIXTH. 1175 

A Ihort fword at their belt, a buckler fcarce a fpan. 

Who ftruck below the knee, not counted then a man : 

All made of Spaniih yew, their bows were wondrous (farong; 

They not an arrow drew, but was a cloth-yard long. 

Of archery they had the very perfeft craft. 

With broad-arrow, or but, or prick, or roving fliaff. 

At marks full forty fcore, t'ncy us'd to prick, and rove, 

Yet higher than the breaft, for compafs never ftrove j 

Yet at the fartheft mark a foot could hardly win : 

At long-buts, fhort, and hoyles, each one could cleave 

the pin : 
Their arrows finely paired, for timber, and for feather. 
With birch and brazil pieced, to fly in any weather 5 
And Ihot they with the round, the fquare, or forked pile. 
The loofe gave fuch a twang, as might be heard a mile. 
And of thefe archers brave, there was not any one. 
But he could kill a deer his fwifteft fpeed upon. 
Which they did boil and roaft, in many a mighty wood. 
Sharp hunger the fine fauce to their more kingly food. 
Then taking them to reft, his merry men and he 
Slept many a fummer*s night under the greenwood tree. 
From wealthy abbots chefts, and churls abundant Acre, 
What oftentimes he took, he ftiar'd amongft the poor : 
No lordly biihop came in lufty Robin's way. 
To him before he went, but for his pafa mult pay : 
The widow in diftrefik he gracioufly relieved. 
And remedied the wrongs of many a virgin griev'd : 
He from the hufband's bed no married woman wan. 
But to his miftrefs dear, his loved Marian, 
Was ever conftant known, which whercfoe'er Ihe came» 
Was fovereign of the woods, chief lady of the game : 
Her clothes tuck'd to the knee, and dainty braided hair. 
With bow and quiver arm*d, ftie wandered here and there 
Amongft the forefts wild ; Diana never knew 
Such pleafures, nor fuch harts as Mariana flew.' 

Of merry Robin Hood, and of his merrier men. 
The fong had fcarcely ceas'd, when as the mufe again 

G ggg 3 Wades 



1176 P O L r^O L B 10 N^ 

Wades ^ Erwafh, (that at hand) on Sherwood's fetting fide 

TheNottinghamian field, and Derbian doth divide. 

And northward from her fprings, hapsScardale fordi to find, | 

Which like her miftrefs Peake, is naturally incHn'd 

To thruft forthtagged cleeves,with which fhe fcattered lies 

As bufy nature here could not herfclf fuffice. 

Of this oft-alt*ring earth the fundry fhapes to fhow. 

That from my entrance here doth rough and rougher grow, 

Which of a lowly dale, although the name it bear. 

You by the rocks might think, that it a mountain were 

From which it takes the name of Scardale, which exprefe'd, 

Is the hard vale of rocks, of Chefterfield poflefs*d. 

By her which is inftird : where Rother from her rift, 

Ibber, and Crawley hath, andGunno, thataffift 

Her wealcer wandering ftrcam towards Yorklhire as Ihe 

wends. 
So Scardale tow'rds the fame, that lovely Iddle fends, 
That helps the fertile feat of Axholme to in-ifle : 
But to th' unwearied mufc the Peake appears the while, 
A withered beldam long, with bleared wat*rifh eyes. 
With many a bleak ftorm dimM, which often to the fkics 
She caft, and oft toth' earth bowM down her aged head, 
Her meager wrinkled face, being fuUied ftill with lead, 
Which fitting in the works, and poring o'er the mines, 
Which fhe out of the ore continually refines : 
For fhe a chymift was, and nature's fecrets knew. 
And from amongft the lead, flie antimony drew. 
And chryftal there congealM, (by her inftiled flowers) 
And in all medicines knew their moft eff^edual powers. 
The fpirits that haunt the mines, flie could iiommand and 

tame, 
*And bind them as fhe lift in Saturn's dreadful name : 
She mill-flones from the qUarrs, with fharpen'd picks 

' could ger. 
And dainty whet-ftones make, the dull-edg'd tools to whet. 
Wherefore the Peake as proud of her laborious toil. 
As others of their corn, or goodnefs of their fbiJ, 

Thinking 

^ A river parting thf two fliires. 



SONG THE TWENTY-SIX:TH. 1177 

Thinking the time was long, till fhe her tale had told. 
Her wonders one by one, thus plainly doth unfold : 

* My dreadful daughters born, your mother's dear delight. 
Great nature's chiefeft work, wherein (hefhew'd her might'; 
Ye dark and hollow caves, the portraitures of hell. 
Where fogs and mifty damps continually do dwell j 
O ye my lovely joys, my darlings, in whofe eyes. 
Horror affumes her feat, from whofe abiding flies 
Thick vapours, that like rugs ftill hang the troubled air. 
Ye of your mother Peake the hope and only carq : 
O thou my firft and bed, of thy black entrance na^m'd 
The Devil's-Arfe, in me, O be thou not alham'd. 
Nor think thy felt difgrac'd or hurt thereby at all. 
Since from thy horror firft men us'd thee fo to call : 
-For as amongft the Moors, the jettieft black are deem'd 
The beautifurft of them -, fo are your kind efteem'd 
The more ye glooiriy are, more fearful and obfcure, 
(That hardly any eye your fternnefs may endure) 
The more ye famous are, and what name men can hit. 
That beft may ye exprefs, that beft doth yc befit : 
For he that will attempt thy black and darkfome jaws. 
In midft of fummer meets with winter's ftormy flaws. 
Cold dews, that over head from thy foul roof diftil. 
And meeteth under foot with a dead fullen rill. 
That Acheron itfelf a man would think he were 
Immediately to paft, and ftaid for Charon there; 
Thy floor, dread cave, yet flat, tho' very rough it be 
"With often winding turns : then come thou next to me. 
My pretty daughter Poole, my fecond loved child, 
Which by that noble name was happily inftil'd. 
Of that more generous fl.ock, long honoured in this Ihire, 
Of which amongft the reft, one being outlaw'd here, 
For his ftrong refuge took this dark and uncouth place. 
An heir-loom ever fince, to that fucceeding race: 
Whofe entrance tho' deprefs'd below a mountain fteep, 
Befides fo very ftrait, that who will fee'r, muft creep 
Into the mouth thereof, yet being once got in, 
A rude and ample roof doth inftantly begin 

Gggg 4 To 



ii78 Pol r^o l b to ^t 

To raife itfelf aloft, and whofb doth intiihd 

The length thereof to fee, ftill going niuft afcend 

On mighty flippery ftones, as by a winding ftair. 

Which rf a kind of bafe dark alabafter are. 

Of ftrange and fundry forms, both in the roof and Rcoii^ 

As nature fhow*d in thee, what ne'er was feen before. 

For Elden thou my third, a wonder I prefer 

Before the other two, which perpendicular 

Pive*ft down into the ground, as if an entrance were 

Through earth to lead to hell, ye well ttitght judge it h6rfe, 

Whofe depth is fo immenle, and wondroufly profdund. 

As that lorig line which ferves the deepeft fea to fbimd. 

Her bottom never wrought, astho* the vaft defc^Ut, 

Through this terreftrial globe diredtly pointing wer*it 

Our Antipodes to fee, and with her gloomy eyes, 

To glote upon thofe ftars, to us that never rife; 

That down into this hole if that a done ye thrbw, 

An acre's length from thence, (fome fay that) ye rtiay go. 

And coming back thereto, with a ftill lift'mng ear. 

May hear a found as tho* that ftone then falling Were, 

Yet for her caves, and holes, Peake only not excels. 
But that I can again produce thofe wondrous wells 
Of Buckfton, as I have, that moft delicious fount. 
Which men the fecond Bath of England do account. 
Which in the primer reigns, when firft this well began 
To have her virtues knowri unto the bleft faint * Anne, 
Was confecrated then, which the fame temper hath. 
As that moft dainty fpring, which at the famous Bath 
Is by the crofs inftil'd, whole fame I much prefer. 
In that I do compare my daintieft fpring to her, 
Nice fickneffes to cure, as alfb to prevent. 
And lupple their clear (kins, which ladies oft frequent ; 
Moft full, moft fair, moft fweet, and moft delicious Iburce, 
To this a fecond *" fount, that in her natural courfe. 
As mighty Neptune doth, fo doth fhc ebb and flow, 
If fome Welfh fhires report, that they the like can fliow. 

^ St. Aone of Buckllon. . » TidrfwcU. 



SONO ifaBtWENTY-SlXTH. 1179 

I anfwer thofe, that her (hall fo no wonder call. 

So far from any fea^ not any of them all. 

My caves and fountsuQS thus delivered you^ for change 

A " little hai I have, a wonder yet mor^ ftr«nge. 

Which though it be of light, and atmoft dully fand. 

Unaltered with the wind, yet doth it fifmly fbdd ; 

And running from the top, although it never ccafo. 

Yet doth the foot thereof, no whk at all increafe. 

Nor is it at the top, the lower or the lefs^ 

As nature had ordain'd, that fo its own excels. 

Should by fome fecret way within itfelf afcend, 

To feed the falling back % with this yet doth not end 

The wonders of the Pcake, for nothing that I have. 

But it a wonder's name doth very juftly crave : 

A foreft fuch have I, (of which when any fpeak 

Of me they it inftile. The foreft of the Pfeake) 

Whofe hills do ferve for brakes, the rocks fcr (hrubs and 

trees, 
To which the ftag purfu*d, as to the thicket flees -, 
Like it in all this ille, for fternnefs there is none. 
Where nature may be faid to fhow you groves of ftonc. 
As flie in litde there, had curioufly compil*d 
The model of the vaft Arabian ftony wild. 
Then as it is fuppos'd, in England that there be 
Seyen wonders : to myfelf fo have I here in me. 
My feven before rehearsM, aUotted me by fate. 
Her greatnefs, as therein ordain'd to imitate,' 

No fooner had the Pcake her feven proud wonders fung. 
But Darwin from her fount, her mother's hills among, 
Through many a crooked way, opposed with envious rocks. 
Comes tripping down tow'rds Trent, and fees the goodly 

flocl^s 
Fed by her mother Peake *, and herds, (for horn and har. 
That hardly are put down by thofe of Lancaftiire,) 
"Which on her mountains fides, and in her bottoms graze. 
On whofe delightful courfe, whilft Unknidge ftands to gaze. 

And 



n8o : P O LT^O L B 10 N: 

And lobk on her his fill, doth on his tiptoes get. 
He NAwftoU plainly fees, which likewife from the fet, 
Salute* her, and like friends, to Heaven-hill far away. 
Thus from their lofty tops, were plainly heard to fay : 

* Fair hill be not fo proud of thy fo pleafant Icite, 
Who for thou ^v'ft the eye fuch wonderful delight. 
From any mountain near, that glorious name of Heaven^ 
Thy bravery to exprefs, was to thy greatncfs given : 
Nor caft thine eye fo much on things that be above : 
For faweft thou as we do, our Darwin, thou wouldft love 
Her more than any thing, that fo doth thee allure ; 
When Darwin that by this her travel could endure. 
Takes Now into her train, (from NowftoU her great Sire, 
Which fhews to take her name) with many a winding gyre. 
Then wandring through the wilds, at length the pretty Wye, 
From her black mother Poole, her nimbler courfe^th pljr 
Towards Darvyin, and along from Bakewell with her brings 
Lathkell a little brook, and Headford,whofe poor iprings 
But hardly them the name of riverets can afford ; 
When Burbrook with the ftrength, that nature hath her 

ftor'd, 
Although but very fmall, yet much doth Darwin ftead. 
At Workfworth on her way, when from the mines of lead, 
Brown Ecclefborne comes in, then Amber from the eaft, 
Of all the Derbian nymphs of Darwin lov'd the bcft, . f 
(A delicater flood from fountain never flow'd) \^ 

Then coming to the town, on which fhe firft beftow'd i 
Her natural ""Britifh name, her Derby, fo again. 
Her, to that ancient leat doth kindly entertain, F 

Where Marten-Brook, although an eafy (hallow rill, \\ 

There ofFereth all fhe hath, her miftrefs* banks to fill, .^ 

And all too little thinks that was on Darwin fpent ; X 

From hence as Ihe departs, in travelling to Trent, \ 

Back goes the aftive mufe, tow'rds Lancafliire amain, S< 
Where matter refts enough her vigour to maintain, t 

And to the northern hills fliall lead her on along. 
Which now muft wholly be the fubjed of my fong. 

• Darwin, of the Britift Doure Guin, which it white water. ^ 



[ nSi ] 



P O L r-0 L B 10 N: 



5NG THE TWENTY-SEVENTH. 

The Argument, 

"The circuit of thisjkire exprefs^d^ 
Erwell^ and Ribbk then conteft ; 
*The mufe next to the mojfes flies ^ 
And to fair JVyre berfelf applies^ 
^hefifhy Lun then dothfhe brings 
The prat fe of hancafhire toftng^ 
The ifle of Man maintains her pka^ 
Then falling eaftward from that fea^ 
On rugged Furneffe^ and his fells^ 
Of which this Canto lafkly tells. 

Carce could the labouring mufe falute this lively Ihire, 
But ftrait fuch fhoutsarofe from every mofs and merp, 
i rivers rulhing down with fuch unufual noife, 
)n their pebly ftioles, fecm'd to exprefs their joys. 
It Merfey (in her courfe which happily confines 
^e Chefhire from this traft, two county palatines) 
ravifliM with the news, along to Le*rpoole ran, 
t all the fhores which lie to the * Vcrgivian, 
)unded with the Ihouts, fo that from creek to. creek, 
Dud the echoes cry*d, that they were heard to (hriek 
Furneffe ridged front, whereas the rocky pile 
^oudra is at hand, to guard the out-laid ifle 

Of 
? TIi« IrUh fea. 



ii82 P O Ir r-O I B 10 N: 

Of Walney, and thofe grofs and foggy fells awoke ; 
Thence flying to the caft, with their reverberance ftiook 
The clouds from Pendle^s head, (which as the people fayj' 
Prognofticates to them a happy Halcyon day) 
Rebounds on Blackftonedge, and there by falling fills 
Fair Merfey, mak'tng in from the Derbehm hills. 

But whilft the aftive mufe thus nimbly goes about. 
Of this large tradl to lay the true dimenfions out. 
The neat Lancaftrian nymphs, for beauty that excel, 
'That for the hornpipe round do bear away the bell ; 
Some that about the banks of Er well make abode. 
With fome that have their feat by Kibble's filver road. 
In great contention fell, (that mighty difference grew) 
Which of thofe floods defer/d to have thefovereignduej 
So that all future fpleen, and quarrels to prevent. 
That likely was to rife about their long defcent, v 

Before the neighbouring nymphs their right they mean tor 
plead, \ 

And firft thus for herfelf the lovely Erwell faid : j 

' Ye laflTes, quoth this flood, have long and blindly err'dj' 

< That Ribble before me, fo falfly have prefer'd, ^ 
« That am a native born, and my defcent do bring 

< From ancient gentry here, when Ribble from her fpring, 

< An alien known to be, and from the mountains lude 

* Of Yorkfliire getting (trength, here boldly dares intrude 

< Upon my proper earth, and through her mighty fall, 

* Is not alham'd herfelf of Lancalhire to call : 

* Whereas of all the nymphs that carefully attend 

* My mifl:refs Merfey's date, there*s none that doth tran- 

fcend 

* My greatncfs with her grace, which doth me fo prefer, L 

* That all is due to me, which doth belong to her. ^ L 
^Tor though from Blackftonedge the Taume come ti^ fa 

ing down, ^' 

* And from that long-ridg'd rock, her father's high re- 

nown, 
« Of Merfey thinks from me, the place alone to win, 
« With my attending brooks, yet. when I once come in, i 



I 



\ 



SONG THE tWENTY^EVENTH. 1183 

* I out of couiit* nance qijke do put the nyropb, for fiote> 
As from my foiantain I towards mightier Merfey flpat, 

^ Firft Roch a daimy riU, from Roch-dale her dear dame, 

* Who honoured with the half of her ftern mother's name, 

* Grows proud : yet glad herfelf into my hanks ix> ger, 

* Which Spodden from her fpring, a pretty rivulet, 

* As her attendant bringiB, when Irck adds to my ftore^ 

' And Medlock to their much, by lending fomewhat motty 

* At Manchefter do meet, all kneeling to my ftate, 

* Where brave I Ihow myfelf •, then with a prouder ^t, 

* Towards Merfey making on, great Chatniofle at xny&U^ 
' Lies full of turf» and marie, her undtuous mineral, 

^ And blocks as black as pkch, (with boring-augars &>unA) 
' There at the general flood fuppofed to be drown'd. 

* Thus chief of Merfey's train, away with her I run, 

* When in her profperous courfe (he watVeth Warrington, 
*« And her fair filver load in LcVpoole down doth lay, 

* A road none more renown'd in the Ver^vian fea, . 

* Ye lufty lafles then, in Lancaftiire that dwell, 

* For beauty that are faid to bear away the bell, 

' Your country's Jiorn-pipe, ye fo mincingly that tread, 

* As ye the egg-pye love, and apple cherry-red ; 

\ * In all your mird>ful fongs, and merry meetings tell, 
! * That Erwell every way doth Ribble far excel.* 
i Her well-difpofed fpeech had Erwell fcarcely done, 
; But fwift report therewith immediately doth run 

To the Vergivian fhores, among the mofles deep, 
^ Where Alt a neighbouring nymph for very joy doth weep, 
: That Symond's-wood, from whence the flood affumes her 
fpring, 

Excited. with the fame, was loudly beard to ring ; 
And over all the moors with fhrill re-echoing founds. 
The drooping fogs todrive from thofe grofs watf*ry grounds^ 
Where thofe that toil for turf, with peating fpades do 6n4 
f'ifh living in that earth (contrary to their kind) 
Which but that Pontus, and Heraclia hkewif^ fhows. 
The like in their like earth, that with like moifture flows, 

Ao4 



Ii84 P O L r-O L B I O N: 

A^d that fuch fi(h as thefc, had not been likewife found, 
Within far firmer earth, the Paphlagonian ground^ 
A wonder of this ifle, this well might have been thought. 
But Ribble that this while for her advantage wrought, 
Of what (he had to fay, doth well herfelf advife. 
And to brave Erwell's fpeech, Ihe bokUy thus replies : 

* With that, whereby the moft thou think'ft me to difgrace, 
SThat I an alien am,^(not righdy of this place) 

* My greateft glory is, and Lancafliire therefore, 
' To nature for my birth, beholding is the more ; 
'.That Yorklhire, which all (hires for largenefs doth exceed, 

* A kingdom to be caird, that well dcferves (indeed) 

^ And not a fountain hath, that from her womb doth flow 

* Within her Ipacious Iclf, but that fhe can beftow ; 

* ToLancafter yet lends, me Ribble, from her ftore, 

* Which adds to my renown, and makes her bounty more. 

* From Penigent's proud foot, as from my fource I Aide, 

* That mountain my proud fire, in height of all his pride, 

* Takes pleafure in my courfe, as in his firft-born flood : 

* And Ingleborow hill of that Olympian brood, 

* With Pendle, of the north the highefl: hills that be, 

* Do wiftly me behold, and are beheld of me, 

* Thefe mountains make me proud, to gaze on me that 

ftand : 

* So Long-ridge, once arrivM on the Lancaftrian land, 

* Salutes me, and with fmiles, me to his foil invites, 
^ So have I many a flood, that forward me excites, 

' As Hodder, that from home attends me from myfpring^ 

* Then Caldor coming down from Blackfl:onedge dott^ 

bring 

* Me eas*ly on my way, toPreflon the great'ft town, 

* Wherewith my banks are blcft -, whereat my going down, 

* Clear Darwen on along me to the fea doth drive, 

* And in my fpacious fall no fooner I arrive, 

* But Savock to the north, from Longridge making Way, 

* To this my greatnefs adds, when in my ample bay, 

* Swart Dulas coming in, frgm Wiggin with her aids, 

* Short Taud, and Dartow fmall, two little country maids, 

•(In 



SONG THE TWENTY-SEVENTH: YiSs 

^ (In thofe low wat'ry lands, and moory mofTes bred 

= Do fee me fafely laid in mighty Neptune's bed 5 

t And cutting in my courfe, even through the very heart 

= Of this renowned (hire, Co equally it part, 

i As nature ftiould have faid, Lo, thus I meant to do 5 

E This flood divides this fliire thus equally in two. 

^ Ye maids, the horn-pipe then, fo mincingly that tread, 

* As ye the egg-pyc love, and apple cherry-red ; 

■ In all your mirthful fongs, and merry meetings tell, 

» That Ribble every way, your Erwell doth excel.* 

Here ended (he again, when Merton's mols and mere, 
"With Ribble*s fole reply fo much revived were. 
That all the (hores refound the river's good fuccefs. 
And wondrous joy there was all over ^ Andernefs, 
"Which ftraight conveyM the news into the upper land,. 
"Where ^Pendle, "^Penigent, and ^'Ingleborow ftand 
pLike giants, and the reft do proudly overlook ; 
^r Adas-like as though they only undertook 
^0 under-prop high heaven, or the wide Welkin dar'd, 
hVho in their Kibble's praife (be fure) no fpeeches fparM 3 
That the loud founds from them down to the forefts fell. 
To Bowland brave in ftate, and Wyerfdale, which as well 
As any fylvan nymphs their beauteous fcitcs may boaft, 
Whofe echo's fent the fame all round about the coaft. 
That there was not a nymph to jollity inclined. 
Or of the woody brood, or of the wat'ry kind, 
But ac their fingers ends, they Kibble's fong could (ay, 
ft.nd perfeftly the note upon the bag-pipe play. 

That Wyre, when once (he knew how well thefe floods 
had fped, 
\Vhen their reports abroad in every place was fpread) 
t vcx'd her very heart their eminence to fee, 
Their equal (at the leaft) who thought herfelf to be, 
determines at the laft to Neptune's court to go, 
before his ample ftate, with humblenefs to (how 

The 

bA part of Lancaihire. 

c The jbigheft hills betwixt Trent and Berwick. See the 28th fong. 



1186 PO I r-0 l4 B IQ Nt 

The wrongs ihe haA iuftajin'4 by bcr proud fi/)#r8^ ^pigb^i | 

And off^iiog tbem no wrgi)^ to do iier ^i?aciie^ i^i^i} 

Ariling bun a rill at firft from Wyerfdalie'^ j^p^ 

Yet ftill receiving ftrength frpn> her full Aiother's pap. 

As down to Seavv2^rd (be> hei* curious courle doth ply. 

Takes Caldor coming in to bear her company; 

From Woojfcr^g- s cliffy foot, a hill to her at l^nd, 

By that fair for# known, within her verge to ftand* 

So Rowland from her breaft fends Brock her to ^tund, \ 

As ihe a forefl: is, h likewiie doth fl)e fend 

Her chiU, on Wyerfdale*s flood, the dainfy Wyreto w$t, 

With her aflifting rills, when Wyre is once repleac : . 

She in her crooked courfe to Seaward Ibftiy (Udes, 

Where Pellin's mighty mqfs, and Mertjon'^, on her fides 

Their }x)ggy breads out-lay, and Skipton down dqdi cr»wJ 

To entettain this Wyre, attained to her fall : 

When whilfl: each wandring flood feem*d fettled to 9fix»9t$ 

Firfl Erwell, Ribble then, and laft of all this Wyre, 

That pjighty wagers would have willingly been laid. 

(But that thefe matters were with nnich difcrction lUy'd) 

Some broils about thefe brooks had furely been begun. 

WhenCoker a coy nymph, that clearly feems to fliun 

All popular applaufe, who from her chriftal head. 

In Wyrefdale, near where Wyre is by her fountain fed, 

That by their natural birth they fcem (indeed) to twin> 

Yet for her fitter's pride (he careth not a pin. 

Of none, and being help'd, Ihe likcwife helpeth none. 

But to the Irifli fea goes gently down alone 

Of any undifturb'd, till coming to her found. 

Endangered by the fands, with many a lofty boqa^, •. 

She leaps againft the tides, and cries to cUryftal Lkhi, 

The flood that names the town, fjotq vvhence ^ (tin 

begun, i 

Her title firft tp take, and loudly tell? thjt flood, 

* That if a htcle while Ihe thus but trifling ftopd, 

* Thefe petty brooks would be before ner ftill preferM/ 
Which the long Wandring L.on, with good advifemeBt heard, 



SONG tHE TWENTV-SfiVENTH. 1187 

As (he comes ambling on from Wcftmorelandj where firft 
Arifing from her head^ amongft the mountains nursM 
By many a pretty fpring, that hourly getting ftrength. 
Arriving in her courfe in Lancafliire at length. 
To Lonfdale. fliows herfelf, and lovingly dbth play 
With her dear daughter Dale^ which her frinri check doth 

To her clear mother's breads as mincingly fhe traces^ 
And oft embracing her, fhe oft again embraces. 
And on her darling fmiles, with every little galei 
When Lac the mod lov*d child of this delicious Dale, 
And Wemming on the way, prefent their cither's fpring. 
Next them fheHenbourne hath, and Robourne^ which do 

bring 
Their bounties in one bank, their miljlrefs to prefer, ' 
That (he with greater ftate may come to Lancafter, 
Of her which takes the name, which likewife to the ihircr^ 
The fovereign title lends, and eminencv, where 
To ^ve to this her town, what rightly doth belong. 
Of this moft famous fhirc, our Lun thus frames her fong. ^ 
* Firft, that moft precious thing, and plealing moft to mani 

* Who from him (madeof eanh) immediately began^ 

* His fhe-felf woman, which the goodlicft of this ifle 

* This country hath brought forth, that much doth grace 

my ftile ; 

* Why (hould thofe ancients elfe, which fo much kno\^ng 

were, 

* When they the blazons gave to every feveral fhire^ 

* Fair women as mine own, have titled due to me ? 

* Befides in all this ifle, there no fuch cattle be^ 

*' For largenefs, horn and hair, as thofe of Lancafliire ; 

* So that from every part of England far and near, 

* Men haunt her marts for ftore, as from her race to breeds 

* And for the third, wherein flie doth all fliires exceed, 

' Be thofe great race of hounds, thedeepeft mouth'd of all 

* The othq: of this kind, which we our hunters call, 

H h h h « Which 



Ji88 POL r^O L B I O N: 

^ Which from their belldwing throats upon a teem fo raar^ 
*That you would furely think tlut the firm earth they tore 

* Wkh their wideyawningchaps, orrcntthecloirisinfiinder, 

* As tho* by their loud cry they meant td mock the thunder. 

* Befides, her natives have been anciently efteem*d, 

* For bow-men near our bell, and ever tevc been deemM 

* So loyal, that the guard of our preceding kings, 

* Of them did moft confift ; but yet *mongft ali thefe tHings, 

* Even almoft ever fince the Englifh crown was let 

* Upon the lawful head of our Plantagcnet, 

* In honour, next the firft, our dukedom was allowed, 

* And always with the great' ft revenues was cndowM : 

* And after whenit hapt, France-conquering Edward'l Udoi 

* Divided in itfelf, here for the garland flood ; . 

* The right Lancaftrian hnc, it from York's iffue bore j 

* Thered-rofe our brave badge, which in their helmets wore 
^ In many a bloody field, at many a^ doubtfiil %ht, 

* Againft the houfe ofYork, which bare for thdrs the ^dute. 

* And for my felf there's not the *Tivy, nor the Wye, 

* Nor any of thofe nymphs that to the fouthward lie 

* For falmon me excels 5 and for this name of • Lun, 
' * That I am chriften*d by> the Britons it begun^ 

' Which fulnefs doth import, of waters ftill incre^fe :* 
To Neptune lowting low, when chriftal Lun ckih ceaf(^ 
And Conder coming in, condufts her by. the hwd. 
Till laftly flie falute the point of ' Sunderland, 
And leaves our dainty Lun to Amphitrite's care. 
So blyth and bonny now the lads and lafles ai?c^ 
That eVer as anon the bag-pipe up doth blow, 
Caft in a gallant round about the hearth they gov 
And at each paufe they kifs, was never fcen fuch rule 
In any place but here, at bonfire^ or at Yule ; 
And every village fmokcs at wakes with lufty chcer^ 
Then hey they cry for Lun, and hey for Lancafhircv 
That ^ne high hill was heard t<^ tell it to his biodtefy 
That inflantly again to tell it w fome other : - ^ 

From 

d Sec fong 6th. « liun, in the Bricilb, fuln€&. ^ A part of Lwcf 
Ihirejatting^ oat into the Irilh fca. 



SONG theTWENTY-SEVENTH. 1189 

From hill again to vale, from vale to hiH ir went. 
The high-lands they again, it to the lower fent. 
The mud-exhaufted meres, and mofles deep among. 
With the report thereof each road and harbour rung 5 
The fea-ny mphs with their fong, fo great a coyie do keep. 
They ccafe not to rcfound it overall the deep. 
And aflted it each day before the i(le of Man, 
Who like an emprefs fits in the Ver^vian, 
By her that hath the ^ Calf, long Walney, and the Pyle», 
As hand-maids to attend on her their fovereign ifle» 
To Whom, fo many though the Hej^rides do fhow. 
Acknowledge, that to her they due fubjefliori owe : 
With com and catdc ftor'd, and what for her's is good, 
(That we, nor Ireland, need not fcorn her neighbourhood) 
Her midft with mountains fer, of which, from * Sceafera 

height, 
A clear and p«f eft eye, the weather being bright, 
(Be Neptune*s vifage ne'er fo terrible and ftern) 
The Scotch, the Irifli fhores, and th*Engfi(h m^ dJfcern > 
And what an empire can, the lame this ifland brings 
Her pedigrees to fhow her right fticceffive kings. 
Her chronicles and can as eamy rehearfe. 
And with all foreign parts to have had free commerce } 
Her municipal laws and cuftoms very oM, 
Belonging to hef ftate, which ftrongly fhc doth hold. 

This ifland, with the fong of Lun is taken fo, 
A\s fhe hath fj^cial caufe before all other, who 
For her bituminous turf, fquar'd from her moffy ground* 
And trees far under earth, (by daily digging found,) 
As for the (tore of oats, which her black glebe doih bear^ 
In every one of thefe refembling Lancafliire, 
To her flfie'Il ftoutly ftick, as to her neareft kin. 
Arid cries the day is ours, brave Lancafliire doth win.' 
fldt yet this ifle of Man more feems not to rejoice 
For Lancafliire's gpod luck,, nor with a loudtr voice 
To found it to the ftiores ; than Furncffe whofe ftern facp, 
With mountains fet Uke warts, which nature as a grace 

H h h h 2 Bcftow'd 

S TheCalf of Man, a little iflaad« h A mQuikUlu \tit]NtS&t^ Vl^xw. 



I190 P O LY-0 L B I N: 

Bcftow'd upon this trad, whofe brows do look fo ftcrn^ 
That when the nymphs of fea did firft her front difccm, 
Amazedly they fled^ to Amphitrite's bower. 
Her grim afpedl to fee, which feem'd to them fo four. 
As it malign'd the rule which mighty Neptune bare, 
Whofe Fells to that grim god, moft ftern and dreadful are, 
Wkli hills whofe hanging brows, with rocks about sttc 

bound. 
Whole weighty feet Hand fix'd in that black beachy ground. 
Whereas thofe fcatter'd trees, which naturally partake. 
The fatnefs of the foil (in many a flimy lake. 
Their roots fo deeply foak'd) fend from their ftocky bough, 
A foft and fappy gum, from which thofe tree-geefe grow, 
Caird barnacles by us, which like a jelly firft ' 
To the beholder feem, then by the fluxure nurs'd. 
Still great and greater thrive, until you well may fee 
Them tumV to perfedt fowls, when droping from the tree 
Into the merey pond, which under them doth lie. 
Wax ripe, and taking wing, away in flocks do fly ; 
Which well our ancients did among our wonders place : 
Befides by her ftrong fcite^ fhe doth receive this grace. 
Before her neighbouring tradts, (which Furnefle well may 

vaunt) 
That when the Saxons here their forces firft did plant. 
And from the inner-land the ancient Britons drave. 
To their diftrefsM eftate it no lefs fuccour gave. 
Than the tranf-Severn'd hills, which their old ftock yet 

ftores. 
Which now we call the Welfh, or the Cornubian fliores. 
What country let's ye fee thofe foils within her feat. 
But fhe in little hath, what it can fhew in great ? 
As firft without herfelf at fea to make her ftrorig, 
(Yet howfoe*er expos'd, doth ftill to her belong) 
And fence her fartheft point, frorn that rough Neptune's 

rage. 
The ifle of Walney lies, whofe longitude doth fwage 

His 



SONG THE TWENTY-SEVENTH. 1191 

His fury when his waves on Furneffe fcems to war, 

Whofe crooked back is arm*d with many a rugged * fcarr 

Ag^nft his boift'rous (hocks, which this defenfive ifle 

Of Walney ftill aflail, that Ihe doth fcorn the while. 

Which to aflift her hath the Pyle of Fouldra fet. 

And Fulney 4U her back, a pretty infulet. 

Which all their forces bend, their Furneffe fafe to keep : 

But to his inner earth, divert we from the deep, 

Where thofe two mighty^ meres, out-ftrechM in length do 

wander. 
The leffer Thurftan nam'd, the famoufer Wynander, 
So bounded with her rocks, as nature would defcry. 
By her how thofe great feas Mediterranean lie. 
To fea-ward then fhe hath her fundry fands again. 
As that of Dudden firft, then Levin, laftly Ken, 
Of three bright Naiades namM, as Dudden on the Weft, 
That Cumberland cuts off from this (hire, doth inveft 
Thofe fands with her proud ftylc, when Levin from ^e Fells, 
Befides her natural fource, with the abundance fwells^ 
Which thofe two mighty meres, upon her either fide 
Contribute by recourfc, that out of very pride^ 
She leaves her ancient name^ and Fo(Ic herfelf doth call. 
Till coming to the fands, even almoft at her £dl. 
On them her ancient ftile (he liberally beftows. 
Upon the caft from thefe, clear Ken her beauty (hows. 
From Kendal coming in, which (he doth pleafe to grace, 
Firft with her famous type, then lafdy in her race. 
Her name upon thoie (ands doth liberally becpieath, ' 
Whereas the mufe a while may fit her down to breath. 
And after walk along towards y orldhire on her way. 
On which ftie ftrongly hopes to get a npblc day* 

^ A fcarrisarocii:. 



Hhhh3 POLY: 



{ 1I»« 1 



P J. r,OLSIO Nf. 

SONG THE TWENTY-EJGHTH. 



Im>ntition bemB her c(mpaf$ fibers ^ 
Tewardi Tork ihe mofi remum'd ^fjhires^ 
Mdki^ the tbrn Ridings in theiffieric^^ 
£a€^ fivaraify io jfh&w their glories. 
Gufefcr her mefihv^d iiifsfake^ 
S^th her dukits titte mdertake \ 
Misfi^di then Humker wetcames in^ 
AndfiiMss hewfirft he #i begin. 

THRmufefeomMackftosR^e, nofvbit difiiaay^d atall^ 
With fight of the lai^geflure^bn which ihe w^s to fall, 
(Whidfe £ore^ lulls, and Aoods^ ^n long for lier arrive 
F|x>m (jancsfii^, i;hat took^ her beauties to oontriy«) 
.Doth fethttf fetfto fing, of that above the reft 
A kingdom tfear doth feem, a province ac die leaO:, 
To tbom that think thetnfelvie6 no Ample ihires to be ; 
But that wherein th6 world her greatnefe moft may fee^ 
And that w|itdi doth this ifhlre bisfore the reft prefer. 
Is of fo many floods, and grear^ that rife frpm her, 
Except fome filly few out of her n»ge that flow, 
So near to other (hires, that it is hard to know. 
If that their fprings be hers, or others them divide. 
And thofe ^re pnly found upon her letting fide. 
EMe be it noted well, remackabk io all. 
That thofe from her that flow,- in her together fell. 

Nor 



SONOtwsTWCNTY-EICHTH. 1193 

Nor caafmaU praiie beiee^ fo bcauc€oas brooks as th^e^ 
For from all other nytnpbs^ thefe be the Naiades, 
In Amphitrite's bower,, that princely places 'hold» 
To whom the Orkes of fta dare not to be fo bold. 
As rudely once to touch, . and wherefoe'er they come# 
The Tritons wkh their trumps proclaim^hem publick roCifti* 

Now whiles ttie mufc prepares thefe floods along to lead. 
The wide Weft-riding firft, defires that Ihe may plead 
The right that her belongs, which of the mufe fhe wins. 
When with the cburfe of porj, thus fhe her traft begins. 

« Thou firft of all my floods, whofe banks do bound nty 
fouth, 

* And ofFreft up ^hy ftream to mighty Humberts mouth, 

* Of * yew, ai>d(?liming elm, th^t crown'd with many a fpray, 

* From thy clear fountain firft thrpugb many a mead doft 

pUy, 

* Till Rother, whence the name of Rptheram firft begun^ 

* At that her chrift'ncd town dodi k^e ^ in my Pon, 
^ Which proud of her recoMrfe, tow'i4» Ooncafteif^ dolH 

dlnve, 

* Her great'ft and duefeft town, the ^nvwe that doth derive 
^ From Don's near bordexing baak«, ffbfiB bokfii^ «n licr 

race^ 
< She dancing In and oitt, kidenteth HatfieI4 C%afe^ 
\ Whofe bravery hourly adds new hoooufS to ber baidj;; 

* When Sherwood fends her in floW Iddle, that made rank 
^ With her profufe excefs, ikehrg^sly jjt bcftpwii v 

* On Marfhland^ whdb fwoln womb wicb fi^h abundaate 

flows, 
^ As that her batmng bita^, hor f(}|£iig$ iboner feeds* 
^ And with nK>re bvi& wafte, thftn <^ the grafier needs : 

* Whofe ibili as (bmc report, that hp her borderers note^ 

* With th' water under earth undoubtedly dofh float : 
^ For when the wat^ rile, k rifeh doth remain 

^ H^h wldlA; the floods are hif^ and yfkdt} they fall s^iti^ 
^ It falleth : bvdt aib#. whgn as my li»^cdy Don, 

* AJong by MarihJandVfide, he?* lufty courfe hath run, 

Hhhli4 IJbc 

? Much jew and efan upon the bank^^f Dut 



ii$4 P LT^O L B 10 Nr 

* The little wandring Went, won by the loud report 

* Of the magnifick &te, and hdght of Hunaber's court, ' 

* Draws on to meet with I)on, at-her apprpach to Aire : | 

* Now fpeak I of a flood, who thinks there's none IhouU 

dare 
•(Once) to compare with her, fuppos'dl>y her defcent, 

* The darling daughter born of lofty Penigent, 

* Who from her father's foot, by Skipton down doth fcud, 

* And leading thence to Leeds, that delicatcfl: flood, 

* Takes Caldor coming in by Wakefield, by whofe force, 

^ As from a lufty flood, much ftrengthen'd in her courfcj 

* But Caldor as ftie comes, and greater ftill doth wax, 

* And travellinjg along ^ by heading-Halifax, 

* Which Horton once was caird, but of a virgin's hair, 
. * ( A martyr that was made, for chafl-ity, that there 

* Was by her lover flain) being fattened to a tree : 

'. ^ The people that wouU needs it (hould a relick be, 

* It Halifax fincc nam*d, which iii the northern tongue, 
^ Is hfoly hair : but thence as Galdor comes along, 

* It chanc'd fhe in her courfe on ^ Kirkbey cafl: her eye, 

* Where merry^ Robin Hood, that honeft thief doth lie, 
:^t&elK)lding fitly too before how Wakefield ftood, 

* She doth npt only think of lufty Robin Hood, 

* But of his merry man, the pindar of the town 

* Of Wakeffieldj George a Green, whofe fames fo for arc 
- » l^wn, '• 

* For their fo valiant fight, that every free man's fong, 
^Can tell you of the fame, quoth (he be talked on long, 

* For ye were merry lads, and thofe were merry days ; 

* When Aire to Caldor calls, and bids her come her ways, 

* Who likewife to her help, brings Hebden, a fmall rill : 
t* Thus Aire holds on her courfe tow -rdsHumber, till fhe fill 

* Her fall with all the wealth th^t Don can her afford. 

* Quoth the Weft-riding thus, with rivers am I ftpr'd. 

> Next guide I on my Wharfe, the great'ft in her degree, 

* And that I well may call the worthieft of the three, 

'Who 
' ¥ Beheading, which we call Hall* I f llobin Hood*s burying place, 
fax law. I 



SONG THE TWENTY-EiGHTH. V195 

* Whohkr full fountain takes from my wafte weftern Wild; 
^ (Whence all but mountaineers, by nature are exilM) 

* On Langftrethd^e, and lights at th'entrance of her race; 

* When keeping on her courfe^long through Barden Chafe, 

* She watereth Wharfdale's breaft, which proudly bears her 

name; . ^ 

* For by that time (he's grown a flood of wondrous fame^ 

* When Walhbrook with her wealth her miftrefs doth fupply ; 

* Thus ** Wharf in her brave courfe embracing Wetherby*, 
^ Small Cock, a fullen brook comes to her fuccour then,' 

* Whofe banks received the blood of many thoufand ihcrf, 

* On fad Palm-Sunday flain, that Towton-Field we call,* 

* Whofe channel quite was chok*d with thofc tfa^t there 

did fall, 
^ That WharfedifcoIourM was with gore, that then was IHcd; 

* The bloodieft field betwixt the White Rofe, and the Rcd^ 
^ Of well near fifteen fought in England firft and laft:* ' 

. * But whilft the goodly Wharfe doth thus tow'rds Hum^ 
berhafte, 

^ From Wharnfide hill not far, outflows the nimble Nydo^ 

' Through Nyderldale along, as neatly flie doth glide 
Tow'rds Knarelburgh on her way, a pretty iitde rill, 
Caird Kebcclc, flows her ftream, her mifl:re(s* banks to fiO^ 
To entertain tl)c Whafe where that brave • foreft ftands^ 
Entitled by the town, who with uprcared hands 
Makes flgns to her of joy, and doth with garlands crown 
The river paflSing by ; but Wharfe that haflieth down - 
To meet her miftrefs Oufe, her fpeedy courfe doth hyc ; 
Dent, Rother, Rivel, Gret, fo on my fet have I, 
Which from their fountains there all out of me do flow. 
Yet from my bounty I on Lancafhire beftow, 
Becaufe my rifing (oil doth fhut them to the weft : 
But for my mountains I will with the iflc conteft. 
All other of th^ north in largenels fliall exceed, 

^ That ages long before it finally decreed, 

• That 

* See to the 2z.d fottg. ! KwllioiODgbfofcft. 



1196 PQ Lr^Of. fl 10 Nz 

* That Inglcborowr htU, ' Peadlc, aad Penigcat,. 

* Shouldiiamcd be the high'ft betwixt our TwcedandTlwt* 

* My hills, brave Whei^fton then, thou WharnJSdc, fd^ 

thou Cam, 

* Since I Welt-Riding ftill your only mother am § 

* All that report can give, and juftly is my duQ, 
^ I as your natural dam Ihajre equally with you^ 

^ And let me iee a hill that to the north doth ftaoc^ 

* The proudeft of them all» that dare but lift a hand 

* 0*cr Penigent to pecrc i not Skiddo that prou^ fpowt^^ 
^Although of him fo much, rude Cumberland acceOQti '. 
.^JNot Chevbt, of whole height Norchumberland dothW 
4 1 Albania to furvcy ; nor thofe from coaft to coaft 

* That well near run in length, that row of mountains tall, 
^ fly th'name of th' ^iglUh AIp^^ f hat our m^ \emi 

call; 

* As foon ifaall tho&, or thefe remove out of %k^ pbcf , 
^ As by thftr lofty looks, my Peivgent out-fgcc ; j 

* Ye thus behold my hills, my forefts, dales, aiid chafes ' 
.VUpon roy.fpadbuft bre«ft : noje {qq bow nature pinoss 

* Far up into my weft, .fy& I^tflgftfWhciale doiJjt i^ ^ 

* Aild on the bmk of Whaff^ii my plefifant ISardofi by^ 

f With Wharfiia]e.hard by her, a$ taking h^ Ifi Infld - 
f Tim fowcr mw'rds th^ {Q9L\}rw^%^nv(bq^o}^4mk^^ 

* As higher to my north, my Nidderf^alc by Ny^f; 
^.JkodXi&op^tUk abot^ upop 2»y fetong fide, 

^ Mardttand, and Hatfield Qiafe, my€aftenipar{4QbQtp)9 
^ Apd Bamj^ time d^h butt m Pop's w^rwat^'^ 
, gDdnnd c -•.:«.,.• , ^ 

^jAiOil cto Qtgr grcik ^ligiMfi.. i£ lany ibail o^j^ 

* That I npr wond^^v^ «b»t's wcM-fby jrf reiped 

* In all my fpaoiwsftrftA, let the«9 (& wife) fufvey 

< My Ribbie's iffing. btrnks, their wqrft, and kc them ii^ 

< At Giggiefioick. irhem 1 a fountain can you Sktw, 
^ That eight timQS>ki a ddy la j&id to ebb and flow^ 

cafhirc. - fScotlan'd. , 1 



IQNGtheTWENTY^IOHTH. 1197 

Vh© {omcxxmt -was a D3nTiph» and in the mountains high 
)f Craven, whofe blue heads for caps put on the fky, 
Ltmu^ ^ tb'Orcads there, and fyivans made abode, 
t -was ere fcuxoan foot upon thofe hilk had tnxi) 
f jdlitfae mountain kind and fince ifac was xnoft fau*, 
: HOIS a jkyx's chance to foe her filver iiair 
low joofeiy at her back, as up a cliff &e dame, 
[erl)esaucies noting well, her features, and her frkme, 
.nd gfter her he goes ; which when £he jdid efpiy, 
afoFC him like the wind, the nimUc nymph doth fly, ' 
hey Jiurry down the rocks, o'er hill and diik chey drive; 
9, tdkc her he doth ftrain, t'outftrip him ihe doth ftriv^,' 
.ike one his kind that knew, and greatly fear'd his r^pe* 
t nd to the \ topick god^ by praying to efcapc, 
iiey turn'd her to a fpiing, which as (he then did pant; 
/hen wearied with her courTe, her breath g»w irondross 

fcant: 
K^eii as the fiEarful nymph, then thick anddfaort^did bbw^ 
ow made by them a ^^ring, &> doth fhe «bb and flow, 
nd arar the ftream of Nyck, another ipriflg have I, 
s well as that, which may a wonder^s place fupply^ 
/"hich of the form it bears, men Dropping-wett do call^ 
^cav& out of a r6ck, it ftUI in drc^ doth £dl, 
*ear to the Coot whereof it nfiakes a£tde pon, 
^iiich in as litde ipace converted! wood «o AojsSy 
levin, and Kilnfey Crags, were tbey not iiene in me, 
ar^ other plaoe, right wdll mght irondsrs be, 
>r tiieir gigantick height^ l^ nnounmisdo tranfeeod I 
It fuch are frequent here, and dira ifae tmksB an md/ 
Yhen ^Tour tlHis having hmid lAie genius ofchistfaS^ 
r weU-deierved praife^ hap>^ to a^, 
s river in her felf that was ejctrettiely lodi^ 
^ other to defer, fince that iWc wasto both 
ifferent, frailly wills W€!ft-ri(&ig tfiem to ceafe ; 
i havkig made a fign to all the wacrf preaft 

For 

STymphs of the moimtaias. * I Abe, whm after tor fang CDiirfe^ 
^ uippoied genius of the place. I by the confluence of other floods^ 
i^cur, the chicfeft river of Vork* ) geci the name of Ottfe. 



1198 POL r-0 L B 10 N: 

For filcno^- which at once, when her command had] 
liron, 'I 

The proud North-Riding thus for her great felf begun. 1 
* My fovereign flood, quoth (he, in nature thou art bound 
T'acknowledge me of three to be the worthieft ground: J 
For note of all thofe floods^ the wild Weft-Riding fendiif 
There's fcarcely any one thy greatnefs that attends. 
Till thou jiaft paffed York, and draweft near thy fall % 
And when thou haft no need of their fupplies at all, 
Then come they flatt'ringin, and will thy followers bcj 
So as you oftentimes thefc wretched wordlings fee, ' 
That whilfta man is poor, although fome hopes depend : 
Upon his future age, yet there's not one will lend 
A farthing to relieve his fad diftreflfed ftate, I 

Not knowing what may yet befal him •, but when fate 1 
Doth pour upon his head his long expedted good. 
Then (hall you fee thofe (laves, aloof before that ftood, ; 
And would have let himibu-ve, like fpaniels to him crouch^ ; 
And with their glavering lips, his very feet to touch : 
So do they by the Your ; , wJiereas the floods in me, ' ' 
That fpring and have their courfe, (even) gjven thy fife ' 

to thee : 
For till that thou and Swale, into one hank do take. 
Meeting at Borough-bridge, thy greatne& there to niake:] 
Till then^ the name of Ou(e thou art not known to owe, 
A term in former times the ancients did bcftow , 

On many a fuU-bank'd flood \ but for my greater gracdp- 
'Thelc floods of which I fpeak, I now intend to trace \ 
From their firft (prin^ng founts, beginning with the Y 
From MorviPs mighty foot which ri(ing, with the 
That Bant from Sea-merie brmgs, her fomewhat m 

dothiill. 
Near Bi(hops*daIe at hand, when Cover a clear rill. 
Next cometh into Your, whereas that lufly f:hace 
For her Iov*d G)ver's fake, doth Ipvingly epibr^cc 
Your as (he yields along, amongft the parks and gro^ 
In Mkldleham's jmorous eye, as wandringly (he roves, 




SONG THE TWENTY.EiaHTH. 1199 

« At Rippon meets with Skell, which makes to her amain^ 
« Whom when fhe hath received into the nymphifh train, 
« (' Near to the town fo famM for coks there to be bought, 

* For goodnefs far and near, by horfemen that are fought) 
p« Fore-right upon her way (he with a merrier gale, 

* To Borough-bridge makes on, to meet her fitter Swale^ 

* (A wondrous holy flood (which name fhe ever hath) 

* For when the Saxons firft received the chriftian faith, 
♦Paulinus of old York, the zealous bifhop then, 

?* In Swale's abundant flream chriften*d ten thouland men^' 
,• With women and their babes, a number more befide, 
"•Upon one happy day, whereof fhe boafts with pride) 

* Which fprings not far from whence Your hath her'filver 
J head ; 

I And in her winding banks along my bofom led, 
J5* As fhe goes fwooping by, to Swaledale whence fhe fprings, 
J That lovely name fhe leaves, which forth a foreft brings, 
7 The vallies ftyle that bears, a braver fylvan maid 
7 Scarce any fhire can fhow •, when to my river's jud, 
f Come Barney, Arfke, and Marfke, their fbvereign Swafe 
to guide. 
From Applegarth's wide wafte, and from New Foreft fide-, 
Whofe fountains by the fawns, and fatyrs, many a year. 
With youthful greens were crown'd, yet could not flay 

them there. 
But they will ferve the Swale, which in her wandring courfe, 
A nymph nam^d Holgat hath, and Rifdale, all whofe 
I force, 

I Small though (God wot) it be, yet from their fouchem 
► fhore, 

\ With that falute the Swale, as others did before, 
' At Richmond and arrive, which much doth graccy the 

flood, 
f*or that her precindblongamongft the fhires hath flood : 
But Yorkfhire wills the fame her gtory to refign. 
When pafSing thence the Swale, this minion.flood of mine 

^NcK 
7 IUpp<m faifi 



1200 P O L r^o L B rONi 

Next takes into her train^ dear WifRe, a wanton girf, I 
As though her watery path were pav'd with orient pnili 
So wonclroirt fweec fhe fecms, in many a windii^ gyrt, 
As though {he gambolds made, or as ihe did defire^ 
Her labyrimh-Iikc tutns^ aitei mad meander'd tra^^ 
With marvel fhouid amase, and coming doth imbrace 
Nordi-Alerton, by whom her honour is increaj^d^ 1 
Whofe liberties include a county at the leaft, | 

To grace the wandring Wilke, then well upon hcf tmfm 
Which by her count'nancB thinks to carry altthefwttf -, 
When baring her receivM, Swale b(^nny Codbeckbringi^ 
And Wilk>wbeck with her, two pretty nn^effifl^ 
And Bedall buds along; then almoft ac the CHife, . , 
Who with thefe rills enrich'd begins her felf DO roufe. |, 
When dxat graat fbrdt-nymph f^ur Gautref^ on her waft 
She feet to ftond prepared, with garlands frdhs^aigBf 
To deck up Otife, before her felf tcx York fhe fbsm^ 
So our of nyy foil womb the Fofie doth rikewife fbw, 
That meeting thee at York, under the dry's fide^ 
Her glories v^i^ thy felf doth equaUy divide, 
The eaft part watering ftill, as thou doft waflif die weft, 
By whole embraced York abundantly^ is bieft. 
So many riv^ers I continually maintain, 
AsaU tn^ leffer floods diat into Darwin ftr^^ 
Their fountmns find in me, the Ryedale naming Rye, . 
¥ds^ Rycal^ Hodbeck, Dowy withSemeti, andtbMdt 
ClearCoftwy, which he( ielf from Blackmom in dMiYbrt^ 
And playing as^ihe Aides through Ihady Pickering, 
To Darwent homage, doth v and Oarwent that divktv 
The Eaft-riding and me, upon her either iideSy 
Although that to us bothv fli« moffc indjfferenc be^ 
And feemcth to aflfeft her equally mth me. 
From my divifion yet her fountain doth derive. 
And from mf Blackmcm here Hor oourfb doth- fifft 

trive. 
Letmy^ dimanfions then Be lerioully j^rfu^d^ 
And let Great Britain fee in my brave latitude, i 



1 



SONOTttETWENTt-EIGHTH. 1201 

* tlow in the bigh^ft degree by nature 1 am graced ; 

* For towards the Craven hills, upon my weft are plac'd 
" *New-forefl:; Applegarth, and Swaledale, Dryadesal)^ 

• * And lower towards the Oufe, if with my floods ye fiall^ 

• • The goodly Gautrefs keeps chief of my fylvan kind, 

. * There ftony Sfanmore view, bleak with the fleet and Wlncf^ 
■ • Upon this eaftern fide, fo Ryedale dark and deep, 

* Amongft whofe groves of yore, fome fay that elves did 

keep; 
^ • Then Pickering, whom the fawns beyond them all adofCt 
j|*By whom not far away lies large-fpread Blackimore, 
"f f The Cleveland north from thefe, a tote that doth m^tab; 

* Leaning her lufl:y fide to the great German mmn^ 
^ • Which if flie were not here confined thus in me, 
*^ * A fliire even of her felf might well be faid to be. ^ 

^ * Nor left hath Pickering Leigh her liberty than this 
% * North- Alerton a fliire fo likewife reckon^ is ; . 
1 ^ And Richmond of the refl:, th^ greateft in eftaf!e^ 
T • A county jufl:ly call'd, that them accommodate; 
I ^ So I North-Riding am, fbr fpacioufnefi renowned, 

* Our mother YorWhire's cld*ft,who worthily 16 crownM 

* The queen of all the flares^ on this fide Trent, for wc 
*- iThe Ridinga feverat parts of her vaft grea;tnc(s be^ 
^ In U9, fo we zgmt have feveral feats, whofe bounds 

I ^ Do meaftire from their fides fo tnany mite&of ^imtidi^' 
L^ That they are called fl\ire& ; fike to feme ^rdghty kingi 
Y May Yorkftiire be comparM^ (the Uk'ft of any tMn^ 
: "^ Who hath kings that attend, and la his fttfie tfxm^ 
i ^ And yet fo great, that they have under then* dgjatn 
^ Great ^inces, that to diem be fufcgeft, fo \A^t we 

* Shires fubjetSb unto us, yet we her fubjeftsbe % 
' * Although thefe be enough fiifficiently to flioir, 

* That I the otf\er two for bravery quite out-go 2 
\i « Yet look ye up along into my fetring fide, 

^ • Where Teis firflrfrom my bounds rich " Duidme doifc 
diiyide, 

. f Thebiflibprids of OyrkiAiJ 



I' 



1202 JP O L r-0 L B I O N: 'S 

* And you (hall fee thofc rills, that with their watery pr»>^ 

* Their moft beloved Teis fo plenteouQy increafc, \^^ 

* The clear yet lefler Lune, the Bauder, and the GrctJT'l 

* All oiit of me do flow ; then turn ye from the fet> p 

* And look but towards the rife,, upon the German maii^^^ 

* Thofe rarities, and fee, that I in me contain ; ^ 

* My Scarborough, which looks as though in heavo^ T 

ftood, 

* To thofe that lie below, from th* Bay of RoUn Hood, 

* Even to the fall of Teis -, let me but fee the man, 

* That in one traft can fliow the wonders that I can, 
^ Like Whitby's felf I think, there*s none can (hew but 

* O'er whofe attraftive earth there may no wild geefe flyjT) 

* But prefently they fall from oflf their wings to ground : 

* If this no wonder be, wherc's there a wonder found, 

* And ftones like ferpents there, yet may ye more behok P 

* That in their natural gyres are up together roU'd. 

* The rocks by Moul-grave too, my glories forth to fct, 

* Out of their crany'd cleves, can give you perfect jet, 

* And upon Huntclipnab, you every where may find, 
•(As though nice nature lov*d to vary in this kind) 

* Stones pf a fpherick form of fundry mickles firam'd, 

* That well they globes of ftone, or bullets might be nain*d 
^For any ordnance fit: which broke with hammers blows, 
^ Do headle(s fiiakes of ftone, within their rounds tedofc. 
^ Mark Gi(borough's gay fcite, where nature feems fo nicey 
^ As in the (ame (he makes a fecond paradiie, 

* Whofe foil imbroider'd is, with fo rare fundry flowers, 

* Her large oaks fo long green, as fummer there her bower& 

* Had fet up all the year, her air for health rcfin'd, 

* Her earth with allom veins moft richly intermin'd. j 

* In other places thefe might rariries be thought, 

* So common but in mc, that I efteem as nought. 

* Then could I reckon up my Ricall, nuking on 

* By Ryedale, towards her dear-lov'd Darwcnt, who's not 

gone 
^ Far from her pearly Iprings, but under ground fhe goes \ 
5 As up towards Craven hills, I many have of thofe, 

;^Ainongft 



SONG THE TWENTY-EIGHTH. 1203 

^mongft the crany*d cleves, that through the cavern creep* 
And dimbles hid from day, into the earth fo deep. 
That oftentimes their fight the fenfes doth appal, 
Which for their horrid courfc, the people Helbecks call. 
Which may for ought I fee, be with my wonders fer, 
And with much marvel feen : that I am not in debt 
' To none that neighboureth me ^ nor ought can they me 
lend/ 
When Darwent bad her ftay, and there herfpeechto end. 
For that Eaft-Riding call'd, her proper caufe to plead : 
For Darwent a true nymph, a moft img;artiai maid, 
And like to both ally*d, doth will the laft (hould have 
That privilege, which time to both the former gave, 
A.nd wills th' Ealt-Riding then, in her own caufe to 

fpeak. 
Who mildly thus begins ; * Although 1 be but weak, 

* To thofe two former parts, yet what I feem to want 
^ In iargencis, for that I am in my compafs fcant, 

* Yet for my fcite I know, that I them both excel 1 

* For mark me how I lie^ ye note me very well, 
*H9w in the eaft I reign, (of which my name I take) 

* And my broad fide do bear up to the German lake, 

* Which bravely I furvcy j then turn ye and behold 

^ Upon my pleafant brcaft, that large and fpacious Ould 

* Of York that takes the name, that with delighted eyes, 

* When he beholds the fun out of the feas to rife, 

* With pleafure feeds his flocks, for which he fcarce gives 

place 
? To Cotfwold, and for what becomes a paftoral grace, 
^ Doth go beyond him quite; then note upon my fouth, 

* How all abng the fliore, to mighty Humber's mouthy 

* Rich Holdernefs I have, excelling for her grain, 

* By whofe much plenty I, not only do maintain 

* Myfelf in good eftate, but fliires far off that lie, 

* Up Humber that to Hull, come every day to buy, 

* To me beholden are •, befides, the neighbouring towns, 

* Upon the verge whereof, to part her and the Downs, 

liii *HuU 



1204 P L r^O L B I O Nt 

• Hull down to Humbcr haftcs, and takes into her bank j 

• Some lefs but lively rills, with waters waxing rank, » 

• She Beverley falutes, whofe beauties fo delight {| 

• The fair-enamour'd floods as ravi(h'd with the fight, 

• That (he could ever ftay, that gorgeous • phane to view, 

• But that the brooks and bourns fo hotly hcf purfue, 

• ToKingfton and convey, whom Hull d6th newly name, 

• Of Humbcr-bord'ring Hull, who hath not heaid the fame: 

• And for great Homber*s fetf, I challenge him for mine : 

• For whereas Fowlwy firft, and Shelfleet do combine, 

• By meeting in^eir courfe, fo courteoufly td twin, 

• 'Gainft whom on th'other fide, the goodly Trent comes In, 

• From that efpecial place, great Humbcr hath his reign, 

• Beyond which he's mine own : fo I my coiirfe maintain, j 

• From Kilnfey's pyle-like point, along thecaftern fhore, ' 

• And laughat Neptune's rage, when loudl'cft he doth roar, 

• Till Flamborough jut forth into the German fea.' 
^nd as th'Eaft-Riding more yet ready was to fay, 
Oufe in her own behalf doth interrupt her fpcechj 
And of th* imperious land doth liberty befecch. 
Since fhe had paffcd York, and in her wandring race. 
By that fair city's fcitc, received had fuch grace. 
She might for it declaim, but more to honour York, 
She who fuppos'd the fame to be her only work. 
Still to renown thofe dukes, who ftrongly did pretend 

A title to the crown, as thofe who did deicend j 

From them that had the right, doth this oration make. 
And to uphold their claim, thus to the floods flie fpakc : | 
* They very idly err, who think that blood then fpilt, * 

• In that long-lading war, proceeded. from the guilt, , 

• Of the proud Yorkifts part ; for let them underftand, I 
^ That Richard duke of York^ whofe brave and martial { 

hand 
« The title undertook, by tyranny and might, 

• Sou^t not t^ attain the crown, but from fucce&ful right, 

• Which ftill upheld his claim, by which his valiant fon, 

• Great Edward earl of March, the garland after won; 

; Tkv dunck of BtTf rlqri 



so NO THE TWENTY-EIGHTH. i2a5 

For Richard duke of York, ac Wakefield battle flain, 
« Who firfl: that tide broach'd, in the fixth Henry's re^n, 

* FrpnnbEdmond a fifth fori of Edward did defcendjj 

* That juftly he therfcby np tide could pretend, 

* Before them comeirom Gaunt, well known of all to hc^i 
< The .fourth to Edward born, and therefore a degree / 

« Bieforfhhim to the crown ; but that i*hich did prefer ; ' 

* His ude, wasthe match with danie Anne Mortimer^ * 

* Of Roger earl of March the daughter, that his clainfi, ' 
« From Clarence the third fon of great king Edward canDe, 

* Which Anne deriyM alone, the righi before all other, 
« Of the delapfed crown, from Philip her fair mother^ ' 

* Daughter and only heir of Clarencci and the bride . , ■ 

* To Edmond earl of March ; this Anne her daughter ty*d 
*, In wedlock to the earl of Cambridge, whence the rigbc 

^ Of Ri^hftnJ, as I faid,, which fell at Wakefield fight, 

* Defcended to Im fon, brave Edward after king, 

* (Heory the fixth depoj'd) thus did the Yorkifts hritig * 

* Th^ir title from a ftrain, before the Knc of Gaunt, 

* Whofe ifiUe they by artni did worthily fupplant.* 

By tbis the Oufe perceived great Humber to look grimi 
(For evermore Ihe hath a fpecial eye to him) 
As tho* he much difdain'd each one fhould thus be heard,' 
And he their only lung until the.laft.dcfer*d, 
At which he feem*d to frown j wherefore the. Oufe off 

breaks. 
And to his confluent floods, thus m^hty Humber fpeaks t 

* Let Trent her tribute pay, which from their feveral founts^ 

* For thirty floods of name, to me her king that counts^ 

* Be much of me beloved, brave river ;• and from me, 

* Receive thofe glorious rites that fame can give to thee. ' 

* And thou marlh- drowning Don, and all thofe that repair 

* With thee, that bring^fl: to me thy eafy ambling Aire, 

* Embodying in one bank : and Wharfe, which by thy fell 

* Doft much augment my Oufe, let me embrace you all, 

* My brave Weft-Riding brooks, your king you need not 

fcorn, 

* Proud Njuadcs neither ye, North-Riders' that are born ; 

I i ii a *My 



32o6 POL r-0 LB I O N: ' 

• My yellow-fended Your, and thoa my fitter Swale^ 
t^ That dancing come to Oufcy thro' many a dainty dale^ 

^ bo greatly me enrich, clear Darwent driving down 

• From Cleveland ; and thouHuU, that highly doft renowh 
,? TV Eaft-Riding by thy rife, do homage to y«i!r^king, ' 

^ And let the fea-nymphs thus of mighty Humber fing^-, • 

• That'full an hundred floods my watVy court maintain; * 

• Which either of thcmfelves, br in their greater's train^ ' 

• Their tribute pay to mev and for my princely name^ 
i^From Hunf^r king of Hunnv as anciently it came i 

• So ftill I ftick to him : for .from that caftcrn king • 
•' On^c in me drowh'd, as I my pedigree da.kiring r/ 

• So his^cat name receives no prejudice theiieby j ' * 
h' For as he was a king, {6 know ye all that 1 j ' ■ ' ' 

• Am king of all the foods, thfet north of Trent da flow |J 

• Then let the idle world no more, fiich coft beftow, ' * 

• Nor of the, muddy Nile,, fo great a wobder mdke, 

• 3piough wick her bellowkig fall, (he violently takfe* ' 

• The neighbouring people deaf; nor Ganges fo imxrh praife^ 
^ That where he narroweft is, dght miles in broadnefs lay$' 
f His bbfomv nor fo much hereafter (hall be Ipokc 

• Of that (but lately found) Guianian Oronoque, 
^ Whole casaradl: a noiie fo honiblef doth keep^ 

• That it even Neptune frights i what flood comes to the 

deeps 
« Thain Hurnbcr that is heard more horribly to roar ? 
« For when my • Higre comes, I make my rither (hore 
\ Even tremble with the found, that I afar do fend/ 

No fooner of this fpeech had Humber made an^ endy 
But the applauding -floods ient forth fo fhrill a fhouty 
I'hat they were eas4y heard all Holdernels about. 
Above the bcachy brack^ amongflt the marflies rude, 
When the Eafl:-Riding her oration to conclude. 
Goes on: • My fitters boaft that they hare little (hires 

• Their lubj;eds, I can Ihew the like of misw. for theirs ^ 

» The roaming of the waters at the coming m of ihe lide^ ' 



SONG THE T^ENTY-EIGHTH. 1207 

'« My ^ Howdon hath as large a circuit, and as free, 

* On bufe, and Humberts banks, and as much^raceth.me, 
** My latitude comparM with thofe that me oppugn : 

* Not Richmond nor her like, that doth to them belong, 

' Doth grace them inore than this doth me^ upjpn my 
' coafi:-, 

* And for their wondrous thin^ whereof fo much they 

boall, . 

* Upon my eaftern fide, . which juts upon the fca, 

* Amongft the white-fcalp'd cleeves this wonder fee they 

may, 

* The Mullet, and the Awke my fowlers there dp find, 

* Of all Great Britain broody birds of theftrangeft kind, 

* That building in the rocks, being taken with the hand, 

* ^nd caft beyond the cliflf that pointeth »to the land, 

* Fall inftantly to ground, as though k were a ftone^ 

* But put out to the fea, they inftantly are gone, 

* And fly a league or two jbefore jcbey do return^ . 

* As only by that air, they on.thdr wings were horn. 

^ Then my prophetick fprin^ ^ Vopfey, I my fliow, 

* That fome years is diydup, fooje.yearfi again dotli 

flow i 

* BiJA when it breaketh x)Ut with an immoderate birth 
*^It tells the following year of a penurious dearth.* 

Here ended ftie her fpeech, the Ridings all made friend% 
And from my tired hand, my laboured c^npp end?. 

•v A liberty in the Eaft-Riding^ 




lyii^ roLTi 



I 1208 1> 



POL r^O L B 10 N: 

SONG THE twenty-ninth; 

The Argument, 

^he Mufe the J^ijhoprifk ajfays^ 

And to her falljings Hown the Teis^ 

fThen takes Jhe to the dainty IVer^ 

And with all braveries fitted her. y 

Tyne tells theviSlories by us got ^ 

In fought en fields dgainfi f be Scot. 

^hen through Northumberland Jhe gees^ 

^he floods and mountains doth difpofe •, 

And with their glories dofh proceed^ \ 

Not flaying till Jhe come H Tweed. 

TH E mufe this largeft fhire of England hatting fiing. 
Yet feeing n^ore than this did to her talk belongs" 
tooks ftill into the north, the * Bifhopricli; and views,- 
Which with an e^ger eye^ whilft wiftly flic purfiies, 
Xeis as a bordering flood, (who thoqght herfelf divine) 
Confining in her courfe that County Palatine, 
And York the greateft fhire, doth inftantly begin 
To rouze herfelf: quoth flie, * Doth every rillet win 
^ Applaijfe for th^ir faiall worths, ^nd I that am a queen, 
1 With thofe poor brooks compared I fl^all I alone be feen 
^ Thus filently to pafs, and not be heard to fing ? 
* When as two countries are contending for my fpring : 
' ♦ For Cumberland, to which the Cumri gave the name, 
^ AccoMnts it to be pier's, "Northumberlanid the fame, 

! Wi8 

' f Th« Bilhoprkk of Ootiiac^ ' 



SONG THE^TWENTY-NINTH. 1209 

c Will need'fly her's Ihould be, for that my fpringdoth rife 
So equally 'twixt both, that he were very wife, 

* Could tell which of thcfe two, me for her own may claim. 

* Btuc as in all thefe trafts, there's fcarce.a flood of fame, 

* But fhefome vafley hat|i, which her brave name doth 

bear ; 

* My Teifdale nam*d of me, fo likewife have I here, 

« At my firft fetting forth, through which I nimbly flidej 

* Then Yorfhire which doth lie upon my fetting fide, 

* Me Lune and Bauder lends, as in the fong before 

* Th* induftrious mufe hath fhew'd ; my Dunelmenian 

fhore, • 

* Sends Huyd to help my courfe, with fome few othej: 

becks, • 

« Which time (as it (hould feem) fo utterly neglefts, 
« That they are namele(s yet •> then do I bid adieu, 
< To Bernard's battled towers, and ferioufly purfue 

* My courfe to Neptune's court, but as forthright I run^ . 

* The Skern, a dainty nymph, faluting Darlington, 

* Comes in to give me aid, and being proud and rank, 

* She chanc'd to look afide, and fpieth near her bank, 

* Three black and horrid pits, which for their boiling heat, 

* (That from their loathfome brims do breath a fulpnurous 

fweat) 

* Hell-kettles rightly calPd, that with the very fight, 

* This water-nymph, my Skern, is put in fuch a fright, 

* That with unufual fpced, fhe on her courfe doth haftc^ 

* And raflily runs herfelf into my widened waift. 

* In pomp I thus approach great Amphitrite's ftate,* 

But whilft Teis undertook her ftory to relate, 
Wer waxeth almoft wood, that flie fo long fhould ftand. 
Upon thofe lofty terms, as though both fea and land 
Were ty'd to hear her talk : quoth Wer, * What would*ft 

thoii fay, ^ 
^ Vain-glorious bragging brook, hadft thou fo clear a way 
' T* advance thee as I have, hadft thou fuch means and : 

might, 
< How would'fl: thou then exult ? O theti to what a height 

liii A !Wouldft 



i2:o POL r-0 L B I iS/: 

* Wouldfi: thou put up thy price ? hadft thou but fuch a 

trine 

* Of rillcts as I have, which naturally combine^ 

* Their fprings thee to beger, as thole of mine do mc, 
^ In their confcnting founds th^t do fo well agree ? 

. * As Kellop coming in from Kellop-Law her fire, 

* A mountain much in fame^ fmall Wcllop doth require 

* With her to walk along, which Burdop with her brings. 

* Thus from the full conflux of thcfe three fcvera! fprings 
^ My greatnefs is begor, as nature meant to fliow 

* My future ftrength and ftate; then forward do I flow 
« Through my delicious dale, with every pleafurc rife, 

i And Wyrefdaleftill may ftand with Teifdalc for her life: 

< Comparing of their fcites, then calling on mjF courle, 

< So iatiate with th* excefs of my firft natural iburce, 

^ As petty bourns and becks^ I fcorn but once to call, 

* Wafcrop a wcarifli girl, of name the firft of all, 

* That I vouchHife fbr mine, until that I arrive 

« At Auckland, where with force me forward ftill to drive, 

* Clear Gauntlefs gives herfelf, when I begin to gad, . 
« And whu-ling in and out, as I were waxal mad, 

«'I change my pofture oft, to many a fnaky gyre, 
4 To my firft fountain now, as feeming to retire: 
« Then fuddenly again I turn my wat'ry trail, 
« Now I indent the earth, and then I it engrailc 

* Wjth many a turn and trace, thus wandring up and down, 
« grave Durham I behold, that ftately feated town, 

* That Dqnholme hight of yore (even) from a defert won, 

* Whofe firft foundation zeal and piety J:)egun, 

« By them who thither firft faint Cuthbcrt's body brought, 
« To fave it from the Danes, by fire and fword that fought 

* Subverfion of thofc things that good ^nd holy were, 
</With which beloved place, I fecm fopleafed here, 

^ As that I clip it clofe, and fweetly hug it in 

^ My clear and amorous arms, a?; jealous time (hould win 

* Me farther off from it, as our divorce to be. 
^ Hence like a iuily flood moft abfolutely free, 

♦Non ' 



SONCTHETWENrY-'NtlfTH. I2II 

' • None mixing then with me, as 1 do mik with none, 
^ But fcorning a coUegue, nor near me any one, 
^ To Neptune's court I come •, for note along* the ftran^» 

* From Hartlepoole (even) to the point of Sunderland, 

* As far as ^ Wardenlaws can poffibly furvey ; 

* There*s not a flood of note hath entrance to the fea/ 

Here ended fheher fpeech, when as the goodly Tyne^^ 
. ^Northumberland that parts from this (hire Palatine) 
Which patiently had heard, look as before the Wer 
Had taken up the Teis, fo Tyne now takes up her. 
For her fo tedious talk, * Good Lord, (quoth Ihe) had T 
^ No other thing wherein my labour to imploy, 

* But to fet out myfclf, how much (well) could I fay, 

* In mine own proper praife, in this kind every way 

* As fkilful as the bell ; I could if I did pleafe, 

' Of my two fountains tell, which of their fundry Ways, 

* The South and North are namM, entitled bothof Tyne^ 

* As how the profperous fprings of thefe two floods of 

mine 

* Are diftant thirty mile^, how that theSouth-Tynenam*d 

* From Stanmore takes her Ipring, for mines of brafs that*^ 

fam'd, 
^ How that nam*d of the North, is out of Wheel-fell fpnuig, 

* Amongft thefe Englifli Alps, which as they run along, 

* England and Scotland here impartially divide. 

* How South-Tyne fetting out from Cumberland is plyM 

* With Hartley which her haftes, and Tippall that doth 

drive, 

* By her more flurdy ftream, the Tyne along to drive ; 

* How th* Allans, th? Eaft, and Weft, their bounties to her 

bring, 

* Two fair and full- brim'd floods, how alfo from her fpring, 

* My other North-nam'd Tyne, thro* Tyndale makerh in, 
^ Which Shcle her hand-maid hath, and as ihe hafl:es tp 

twin 

> A mountain qn that jpart of \^ fUx^ 



1212 , P L r-Q Z, Ei f Q N: 

* With th* other from the fouth, her fifter, how cleW 
Rhead, , . ^ 

With P^op comes prepared, and Cherlop, me to lead, 
Through Ridfdale on my way, as far as Exham, then 
Dowell me hqmage doth, wijh Wood oi Englifhmen, , 
Whofc ftream was deetpiy dyM in that moft cruel war ' 
Of Lancer and York. Now having gone fo far, 
Theirftrcngths me their dear Tyne,do wond'rouQy inrich, 
As how clear Darwent draws down to Newcaftle, which 
The honour hath alone to entertain me there. 
As of thofe mighty ftiips, that in my mouth I hear. 
Fraught with my coyntry coal, of this Newcaftle nam'd, 
For which both far and near, that place no lels is' fam'd- 
Than India for her mines •, fhould I at large declare 
My glories, in which time commands me to be (pare, ' 
And .1 but (lightly touch, which ftood I to report. 
As freely as I might, ye both would fall too fhort 
Of me; but know, thatTyne hath greater things in 

hand : 
For, to trick up ourfelves, whilfl: trifling thus we (land, 
Bewitch'd with our own praifc, at all we never note, . 
How the Albanian floods now lately kt afloat. 
With th* honour to them done, take heart, and loudly 

cry 
Defiance to us all, on this fide Tweed that fie ; 
And hark the high-brow'd hills aloud be^n to ring. 
With found of things ;hat Forth prepared is to fing : 
When once the mufe arrives on the Albanian fhore. 
And therefore to make up our forces here before 
The on-fet they begin, the battles we have got. 
Both on our earth and theirs, againft the vahant Scot, 
I undertake to tell ; then, mufes, I intreat 
Your aid, whilfl: I thefe fights in order fliall repeat. 
< When mighty Malcolm here had with a violent hand, 
(As he had oft before) defl:roy'd Northumberland, 
In Rufus' troubled reign, the warlike Mowbray then. 
This earldom tb^t poffefs'd, with half the power of men, 

*For 



SONG THE TWENTY. NINTH. 1^15 

* For conqueft which tliat king from Scotland hithei* drew, 

* At Alnwick in the field their armies overthrew ; 

* Where Malcolni andhisfon, brave 'Edward both yrcie 

found : - - ' . - ■ 

* Slain on that bloody field : fo on the Englifh ground, * 
« When David king of Scots, and Henry his ftcrtl fon, 

* Entitled by thofi'tlrrtes, thenar! of Huntingdon,, 

* Had foragM v&\ tftc north, beyond the river Teis, 

« In Stephen's troubled reign, in as tumultuous days 

* As England ever knew, the archbifhop of Ybrfe, 

^ * Stout Thurftart, and with him join'd in that warlike work, 
« Ralph, (both for wit* and arms) of Durham bifliop then 

* Renown'd, that called were the valiant clergymen, 

* ^Yith th* earlof Aubemerle,Efpeck,andPeverell,knights, 

* And of theLaciestwo, oft try'd in bloody fights, 

* •TwiJrt AUerton and York, the doubtful battle got, 

* On David and his fon, whilft of th* invading Scot 

.♦ Ten thoufand ftrewM the earth, and whilft they lay to 
bleed, 

* Ours followed them that fled, beyond our fifter Tweed. 

* And when ^'Fitz-emprcfs next in Normandy, and here, 

* And his rebellious fons in high combuftions were, 

« William the Scottifh king, taking advantage then, 

* And entering with an hoft of eighty thou&nd men, 

* As far as Kendal came, where captains then of ours, 

* Which aid in Yorkfhire raised, with the Northumbrian 

powers, 

* His forces overthrew, and him a prifoner led. 

[• So Longflianks, Scotland's fcourgc, him to that country 

fped, 
< Provoked by the Scots, th^t England did invade, 
^ And on the borders here fuch fpoU and havock made, 

* That all the land lay wafte betwbct the Tweed and me. 

* This moft courageous king, from them his own to free, 
« Before proud Berwick fet his puiflant army down, 

^ And took it by ftrong ficge, finge when that warl&e town 

L ! Henry Hi 



I 



Ifii4 ' POL r-O^L B 10 N: ^ 

^ As cautionary long the Englifh after held. 

^ But tell tne all you^oods^ when was there fuch a field 

« By any nation yet, 4LS by the Englilh won, jf 

* Upon the Scottifli power, as that of Halidon, 

^ Sevw earls, nine bundled korfe, and of ibot-ibldiai 

more, 
^ Near twenty thoufand (lain, fo that the Scottifli gore 

* Ran down the hill in (hreams (even) in Albania's fight. 

* By our durd Edward's prowefs, chat nx>ft renowned | 

knight, J . . 

^ As famo\is was that fight of his againfl the Scot, 

* As that againft the French, which He at Crefly got 

* And when that conquering king did afterward advance 

* His title, and had paft his warlike powers to .France, 

* And David king ot Scots here entered to invade,'' 

^ To which the king of France did that falielordperliiade; 

* Againfi: his given laUh, from France to draw his faand^, 

* T«o keep his own at home^ or to fill both his hands . 

* With war in both the realms : was ever fuch a lofs, 

* To Scotland yet befell, as that at Nevirs-crofs^ , t 

* Where fifteen thoufand Scots their fouls at once forfool^ ' 

* Where ftout John Copland then king David prifoner took 
^ Tth* head of all his troops, .that bravely there was fcen, 

* When Englifh Philip, that brave Atpazonian queen, , 

* Encour^ng her men fi'om troop to troop did ride, 

^ And where our clergy had their ancient valour try*d : 

* Thus often coming in, they have gone out too fhort. 

* And next to this the fight of Nefbit I report, 

^ When Hebborn that ftout Scot, and his had all their hire, 

* Which inf our marches came, and with invafivc fire, 

* Our villages laid wafte, for which defeat of ours, 

* When doughty Douglafs came with the Albanian powers. 
^ At Holmdon do but fee, the blow our Hoifpur g^ve 

* To that bold daring Scot, before him how he drave 

* His army, and with (hot of our brave Englifh bows 

* Did wound jhem on the backs, whofe brcafts were hurt 

Wiph blows, 

^Tcn 



SONG THE TWENTY-NINTH. 1217 

* To thofe two puiflknc earls, Northumberland, who rofe 

* With Wcftmoreland his peer, fuggefted by the foes 

* To great Eliza's reign, and peaceful gorernmcnt ; 

* Wherefore that pui&nt queen him to Albania fent^ 
• * Who fifty .rock-rcar*d piles and caftlcs having caft 

^ Far lower than their fcites, and with itrong fires defacM 
^ Three hundred towns, their wealth, with lidm worth carry« 
rying brought '^^ •« 

* To England overTweed.' Wh<!ft now the Hdiodiii)cfoi^ht 
The Tyne to hold her tongue^ when prefently btigan 

A rumotir wluch each where tbro' all the country ran. 
Of this proud rtver'i^ fpeech^ the-hilEs and floods amrag,* 
And Lowes, a foreft-nymph, the fame fo tdncilf fiing, ^ 
That it through Ty»dale ftr^^ts and quite throogh Ridf^ 

dale ran, 
And founded fhriOer there, than when it Brfk began. 
That thofe high Alpine hills, as in a row they ftand, 
K^eiv'd the founds, which thus went on ffoth hand toi 
hand.- . 

The high-tear'd Red-(quii^c firft, to Aumond hill k told. 
When Aumond great therewith, -horfor! his life toirtdholdj 
To Kembelfpeth again, the bUfiMft but^rclate^ 
To Black-Brea he again, a MMntain holding ftote 
.With any of them sdl, to Coctclawhe it gavie i 
And Cocklaw it again, to Cheviot, who did rave 
With the report thereof^ he from his mighty^ ftand, 
Rdbunded it again through all Northumberland, 
7 hat White-Squire laftly caught, and it to Berwick fenr, 
I'hat brave and warlike fiown,^ from thence incontinent^ 
if The found from out the South, into Albania came. 
And many a lufty flood, did with her praife bflame,^ 
Afirighcing much the Forth, Who from her trance awoke^ 
And to her native ftrength her prefendy betook, 
Againfl: the mufe (hould come t6 the Albanian coaft. 

But Pidfwall ^11 this while, as though he had been loft^^ 
Not mentioaM by the mufe, began to fret andfume, 
'^i hat every petty brook (hud prgudiy Ihould-prefume 

To 



i2i8 P L r-0 L B 10 Nt 

.To talk ; and he whom firil the Romans did invent, | 
And of their greatncfi yet the long'ft-liv*d monument, ' 
Should thus be over-trod ; wherefore his wrong to wreak. 
In their proud prefence thus, doth aged Pidlfwall fpeak. 
^ Methinks thatOflfa'sHlitch in Cambria Ihould not dare 

• To think himfelf my match, who with fuchcoft and care 
^ The Romans did ered» and for my fafeguard fet 

• Thdr legions, from my Ipoil the proling Pift to let, 

• That often inroads made, our earth from them to win, 

• By Adiian beaten back, fo he to keep them in, 

• To fpa from eaft to weft, begun me firft a wall 

• Of eighty miles in length,: 'twixt Tyne 4nd Eden*s fall : 
^ Long niaking me they were, and long did me maintain. 

• Nor yet that trench which trafts the weftern , Wiltfhirc i 

plain, I 

• Of ,Woden^ Wanfdyke callM, (hould parallel with me, 

• Comparing our. defcents, which fhall appear to be 

, • Mere upftarts, ;bafely born \ for when I was in hand, 

• The Saxon had not then fet foot upon this land, 
< Till my declining age, and after many a year, 

^ • Of whofe poor petty king^, thofe the fmaU latx)urs wen?, 
' « That on Newmarket:hcath<*made up as though but now, 
« Who for the D.evil*$ work die vulgar dare avow^ 
^ Tfaditiop telling none, who truly it began, 

• Where many a reverend book can tell you of my man^ 

• And when I firft decay'd, Severus going on, 

• What Adrian built of turf, he builded new of ftx>ne } 
•And after many a timCj theBritains me repaired, 

• To keep ipe ftill in plight, nor coft they ever fpar'd, 

• Towns ftood upon my length, where garrifons were laid, 
• • Their limits to defend ; and for my greater aid, 

, * With, turrets I was built where ccntincls were plac*d, 

• To watch upon the Pift ; fo me my makers graced 
« With hollow pipes of brafs, along me ftill that went, 

.^ * By which they in one fort ftill to another fent, 

• By fpeaking in the fame, to tell them what to do, 

• And (o from fea to f^a could I be whifi^eted through : . 

* • Up9i 



S ONGtHE TWENTY-NINTH, ntg 

*Upon my:tfaicknefs three marched eas'Iy breafttobre^t 
/ Tvyielve fOQC was I in height^ fuch glory I poffefs^d. 

Old Piftfwall- with much- pride thus finifhing his plea^ 
Had in his utmoft courfe attained the; eaftern iea, 
Yqt there was hill nor flood once heard to dap a hand ^ 
For the Northumbrian nymphs had come to underftahdr 
That^Tyne exulting late o'er. Scotland in her fong, 
(Which over all that realm repcirt had loudly rung) ' 
The Calidonian ' Forth fo highly: had difpleas*d^ . , 
And many another floods which could not be appeas^di ' 
That they had vow'd revenge, and proclamation made. 
That in a learned war the foe they would invade^ 
And like ftout floods Hand free from this fupputed Ihame, 
Or conquet-ed give themfelves up to the Englifh name : 
Which thefe Northumbrian nymphs,- with doubt and ter- 
ror ftrijck^ 
Which knew they jFrom the foe, for nothing were to look, 
feut what by IkiU they got, .and with much care fhould 

keep. 
And therefore they confult by meeting in thcdeep^ 
To be dfeUVcred from the ancient enehiies rage. 
That they would all upon a folemn pilgrimage 
Unto the Holy^Ifle, the virtue of which place, 
They knew could very much avail them in this cafe t 
For many a :blefled faint in former ages there, 
Secluded from the world, to abftinence and prayer, 
Had given up themfelves, which in the German main, 
And from the fliore not far, did in it felf contain 
Sufficient things for food, which from thofe holy men> 
That to devotion liv*d, and (anftinfony then. 
It Ho!y-Ifle was calTd, forWRIch they all prepare. 
As I fhall tell you how, and what their number are. 
With thofe the fartheft off^, the firft I will begin, 
As Pont a peerlers brook, brings Blyth which putteth irt 
With her, then W^nfbeck next in wading to the main. 
Near Morpeth meets witKFpnt, which folio weth in her train; 

K^kkk Next 

• The great river on whieh Edinburgh ftandcth, 



;i22o POL T-0\L B ION: 

Next them the littk! Lync alone doth go along^ 
When Cocket cooieth down, and with her fiich a throng, 
A^ that they fecm to threat. the ocean ; for with her 
Comek Ridfcy, Ridland next, with Ufway, wluch prefer 
Their fountains to her flood, who for her greater fame, 
l^iath at her fall anifle, caU'd Cocket of her name. 
As th^t great Neptune Ihould take notice of her ftate; 
Then Alne by Alnwick comes, and with as proud a gait, 
As Cocigst came before, for whom at her &ir fall, 
( In bravery as to ftiow, that fh^furpals'd them all): 
Xhe. fumous ifle of ^emc, and Staples aptly ftand. 
And at ^er coming forth, do kifs her chriftal hand. 
, Whilft thcfc refoly'd upon their pilgrimage, proceed, ' 
TiU for the love Ihe bears to her dear miftrefs Tweed, 
Of Bramiih leaves the name, by which ihe hath her l^di; 
And though (he keep her courfe upon the EhgHfli earth. 
Yet Bowbent, a bright riymph, from Scotland coming in^ 
.To go with her to Tweed, tbe^anton iiooddbth win. 
Though at this headftrong ftream, proud Flqddcn from his 
. ^ height . ./ '* /:- ; *■ 

Doth daily, feem to fret^ ;yet takes he much diel^t 
Her lovelinefe to view, as otli to Tweed ftie ftralfts,* 
Where whil^ this mountairi much for her fweietiakefuflain^j 
This canto we conclude, and frefli about ipuft caft. 
Of ail the Engliih tra(5bs, to confummate the laft. 



POLT^ 



X 1221 J 



P O L r-0 L BIO N: 



SONG THE THIRTIETH. 

The Argument/ 

Of JF^moreland the mufe now JingSy 
And.fenbing Eden from her fprings^ 
'3'e^s her alongj and Kendal then 
Surveyings bearetb back again \ 
And climbing Skidow^s lofty billy 
By many a river j many a rilly, 
91^ Cumberland^ where in her 'uHay^ 
She Copland calls, and doth difplay 
Her beauties^ back to Edengoesy 
Whofe floods and fall fhe aptly fhows. 

^LT E T cheerly on my Ivlufe, no whit at all idiftnayM, 
j[ But lopk aJoft tow'rds heaven, to him whole powerful 
aid 
Hath led thee on thus long; and through fo fundry foils^ 
Steep mountains, forcfts rough, deep rivers, that thy toil? 
Moll fwfeet* refrelhings feem, and ftill the comfort fent^ 
Againft th? beftial rout, and boorilh rabblerhent 
Of thofe rude vulgar fots, whofe brains are only flime, 
Born to the doting world, in this laft iron time, 
So ftoriy, and fo dull, that Orpheus which (men fay) 
By the inticing ftr^ns of his melodious lay, 
jprew rocks and aged trees, to whither he would pleafe } 
He might as well have mov'd the univerfe as thefe % 
But leave this fry of hell in their own filth defil'd. 
And ferioufly purfue the ftern Weftmerian wild, 

Kkkk a Firft 



1222 POL r^O LV 10 N: 

Firft ceafing in ourfong, the fouth part of the (hire. 
Where Wcftmoreland to • Weft, by wide Wynandcr mere. 
The Eboracean fields her to the rifing boun<l. 
Where ^an firft creeping forth, her feet hath fcarcely found. 
But gives that dale her name, where Kepdal town doth 

ftand, " . i. • ^ 

For making of our cloth fcarce match'd in all the land. 
'Then keeping on her courfe, though having in her train. 
But Sput, a little brook, then Winftcr doth' retain. 
Towards the Vergivian fea, by her two mighty falls, 
(Which the brave Roman tongue, her Catadupae calls) 
This eager river feems outrageouOy to.roar. 
And counterfeiting Nile,, to deaf the neighbouring fhore. 
To which Ihe by the found apparently doth iHow^ . 
The feafon foul or fair, as then the wind doth .blow : 
For when they to the north the noife do eas'lieft hear. 
They conftantly aver the weather will be clear ; 
And when they to the fouth, again they boldly fey, ^ 
It will be clouds or rain the next approaching day. 
To the Hibernick gulf, when fqon the river XaJftes, 
And to thefe queachy lands, from whence hcrf6lf flie cafts. 
She likewife leaves her name as every place where (he 
In her ckar courfe doth come, .by her fliould honour- 
ed be. 
But back into the north from hence our courfe doth lie. 
As from this fall of Can, ftill keeping in pur eye. 
The fource of long-livM ^Lun, I Iong-liv*d do her call ; 
For of theBritifh floods, fcirce one amongft them alU 
Suclj ftate as to herfelf, the Deftinies aflign. 
By chrift'ning in her courfe a county Palatine ; 
For Luncafter, fo riam'd, the fort upon the Lun, 
And Lancafhire the name from Lancader begun : 
Yet though flie be a flood, fuch glory that doth gain. 
In that the Britifli crown doth to her ftate pertain, . 
Yet Weftmoreland alone, not only boafts her \nrjfh9 
But for her greater good the kind Weftmerian ea/thj^ 

'•'■.'* '\ .■ Clear 

•Sec fong 27th. * Sc€ fong 27, 



SONG theTHIRTIETH. 1223 

Clear Burbeck her bequeaths, and Barrow to attend 
'Mer grace, till (he her name, to Lancafter do lend, 
With all the fpeed we can, to Cumberland we hie, 
(Still longing to falute the utmoft Albany) 
By Eden, ilTuing out of Hufleat-Moruill hill. 
And pointing to the north, as then a little rill. 
There fimply takes her leave of her fweet filler Swafe^ 
Born to the felf-fame fire, but with a fl:ronger gal^. 
Towards Humber hies her courfe, but Eden making on. 
Through Malerftrang hard by, a foreft woe begone 
In love with Eden's eyes, of the clear Naiades kind, 
Whgm thus the wood-nymph greets : * What paflage 
Ihalt thou find, 

* My moft beloved brook, in making to thy bay, 

* That wand* ring art to wend through many a crooked 

way, 

* Far under hanging hills, through many a cragged ftrair, 

* And few the watVy kind, upon thee to await, 

* Oppofed in thy courfe with many a rugged cliff, 

* Befides the northern winds againft thy ftream fo ftifi; 

^ As by main ftrength they meant to flop thee in thy courft, 
' * And fend thee easMy back to Moruill to thy fource. 
' O my bright lovely brook, whofe name doth bear the 
found 

* Of God's firft garden-plot, th* imparadifed ground, ' 

* Wherein 1ie placed man, from whence by fin he fell. 

* O little ble^fed brook, how doth my bofom fwell 
' With loVe I bear to thee, the day cannot fuffice 

' For Malerftrang to gaze upon thy beaiiteous eyes.' 

This faid, the foreft rub'd her rugged front the \vhile. 
Clear Eden looking back, regrets her with a fmile. 
And fimply takes her leave, to get into the mairt ; 
When Below a bright nymph, from Stanniore down doth 

ftrain 
To Eden, as along to Appleby (he makes. 
Which pafling, to her train, next Troutbeck in fhe t;akeJ, 
And Levenant than thefe a fomcwhat lefler rill, 
WhenGlenkwin greets her well, and happily to fill, 

Kkkka ; Her 



1224 P L,r^O L B 10 N: 

Her more abundant banks, from tills, a mighty ./mere 
On CuHibcrland's confines^ comes Eymot neat and clear. 
And I. oder doili allure, wiih whom (he haps to meet, 
Whu ii at her coming in, doth thus her miftrcfs .greet. 

^ Quoth (he, thus for myfelf I &y, that where I fyell 
^ Up from my fountain firft, there is a tiding-weil, 

* That daHy ebbs and flows, (as writers do report) 

♦ The old Euripius doth, or in the felf-lame forr, 

* The * Venedocian fount, or the « Demetian fpring, 

♦ Or that which the cold Peakc doth with her vyondcrs 

. bring, 

* Why Ihould not Loder then, her miftrefs Eden pleafe, 

• With this, as other floods delighted are with thefe.* 

When Eden, though fl^e feemM to make unufual baftct 
About clear Loder* s neck, yet lovingly doth caft 
Her oft infolding arms, as Weftmoreland Ihe leaves. 
Where Cumberland again as kindly her receives. 
Yet up her watry hands, to W infield foreft holds 
In her rough woody armis, which amoroufly infolds 
Clear Eden coming by, with all her watry ftorc, 
Jn her dark fhades, and feems her parting to deplore. 

But fouthward fallying hence, to thofe fea-bordering land^^ 
Where Dudden driving down to the Lancaflrian lands. 
This Cumberland cuts out, and fl:rongly doth confine. 
This meeting there v/ith that, both meerly mariune. 
Where many a dainty rill out of her native dale. 
To the yergivian makes, with many a pleaiantgale j 
As Efke her farth'ft, fo firfl:, a coy bred Cumbrian lals. 
Who Cometh to her road,, renowned Ravenglafs, 
By Devock driven along, (which from a large-brim*d lake. 
To hie her to the fea, with greater hafte doth make) 
Meets Nyte, a nimble brook, their rendezvo.us that keep 
In Ravenglafs, when foon into the blewifh deep 
Comes Irt, of all the reft, though fmall, the richeft ^1, 
Her coftly bofom ftreyv'd. with precious orient, pearly 
pred in her fhining ihells, wliich to the deaw doth yawn. 
Which deaw they fucking in, conceive that lufty fpawn. 

Of 

« Sec fong 5, 10, J»^f, . 



SONO THE THIRTIETH. 1225 

Of which when they grow great, and to their fulncfs fwell. 
They caft, which thofe at hand there gathering, dearly fell. 
This clear pearl-paved Irt, Bleng to the harbour brings. 
From Copland coming down, a foreft-nymph, which fings 
Her own praife, and thofe floods, their fount^ns that 

derive 
From her, which to extol,, the foreft thus doth ftrive. - 
* Ye northern a Dryades alladornM with mountains fteep, 

* Upon whofe hoary heads cold winter long doth keep, 

* Where often rifing hills, deep dales and many make, 

* Where many a pleafant fpring, and ihiny a large-fpread 

lake, 

* Their clear beginnings keep, ^nd do their names beftow 

* Upon thofe humble vales, through which they easMy flow ^ 

* Whereas the mountain nymphs, and thofe that do frequent 

* The fountains, fields, and groves, with wondrous mer- 

riment, 
^ By moon-fhine many a night, do give each other chafe, 

* At Hood-wink, Barley-break, at Tick, or Prifon-bafe, 

* With tricks, and antique toys, that one another mock, 

* That fkip from crag to crag, and leap from rock to rock, 

* Then Copland, of this trad a corner, I would know, 

* What place can there be found in Britain,that doth fhow 

* A furface more aufliere, more fl:ern from every way, 
^ That who doth it behold, he cannot chufe but fay, 

* Th*afpe6t of thefe grim hills, .thefe dark and mifl:y dales, 

* From clouds fcarce ever clear*d,with the ftrong*fl: northern 

gales, 
^ Tell in their mighty roots, fome mineral there doth lie, 

* The i(land*s general want, whofe plenty mifgtit fupply : 

* Wherefore as fome fuppofe of copper mines in me, 

* I Copper-land was calPd, but fome will have't to be 

' From the old Britains brought, for Cop they ufe to call 

* The tops of many hills, which I am fl:orM withal. 

* Then Eflcdale mine ally, and Niterdale Co nam'd, 

* Of floods from you that flow, as Borowdale mofl: fam*d, 

Kkkk4 *With 

' Nymphs of the foreft. 



1226 P O I r^O L B I N^r 

* With Wafdalc walled in, with hills on every fide, 

* Howsoever ye extend within your waftes fo wide, 

* For th' furface of a foil, a Copland, Copland cry, 
^ i'ill to your fhouts the hills with echoes all reply. , 

Which Copland fcarce had fpoke, but quickly every hill. 
Upon her verge that (lands, the neigbouring vallies fill ; 
tielvillon from his height, it through the mountains threw. 
From whom as foon again, the found Dunbalraie drew, 
From whofe ftone-trophied head, it on to Wcndrofi went, 
Which tow'rds the fea again, refounded it to Dent^ 
That Brodwater therewith within her banks aftound. 
In failing to the fea, told it in Egremound, 
\v hpfe buildings, walks, and ftreets, with echoes loud and 

long. 
Did mightily commend old Copland for her fong. 

Whence foon the mufe proceeds, to find out freflier 
fprings. 
Where Darwent her clear fount from Borowdale that brings, 
t)oth quickly caft her felf iqto an ample lake, 
/And with Thurl's mighty mere, between then^ two dp make 
An ' ifland, which the name from Darwent doth derive. 
Within whofe fecret breaft nice nature doth contrive. 
That mighty copper-mine, which not without its veins. 
Of gold and filver found, it happily obtains 
Of royalty the name, the richeft of them all 
That Britain bringeth ferth, which royal flie doth c^ll 
Of Borpwdale her dam, of her own named ifle. 
As of her royal mines, this river proud the while. 
Keeps on her courfe to fi;a, and in her way doth win 
Clear Coker her cpmpeer, which at her coming in. 
Gives Cpkef- mouth tht name, by ftanding at her fall. 
Into fair Darwent's banks, \<rhen Darwent there withal. 
Runs op her watry race, and for her greater fame. 
Of Neptune doth obtain a haven of her n^me. 

When of t|ie Cambp^n hills, proud Skidow that doth 
, ihow 
The high'ft, refpefting whom, the other be but low. 

Per. 

f The iflc of Darwent. 



SONG THE THIRTIETH, tzzy 

perceiving with the floods, and foreft^, how it far'd» 
And all their feveral tales fubllantially had heard^ 
And of the mountain kind, as of all other he 
Moft like Parnafllis felf that is fuppos'd to be. 
Having a double head, as hath that facred mount. 
Which thofe nine facred nymphs held in fo high account, ^ 
Beihinketh of himfelf what he might juftly fay. 
When to them all he thus his beauties doth difplay. 
^ The rough Hibernian fea, I proudly overlook, 

* Amongfl: the fcatterM rocks, and there is not a nook, 

* But from my glorious height into its depth I pry, 

* Great hills far under me, but as my pages lie ; 

* And when my helm of clouds upon my head I take, 

* At very fight thereof, immediately I make 

* Th* inhabitants about tempeftuous ftorms to fear, 

* And for fair weather Ippk, when as my top is clear ; 

* Great Fournefs mighty Fells I on my fouth furvey : 
^ So likewife on the north, Albania makes me way, 

* Her countries to behold, when ^ Scurfel from the (ky, * 

* That Anadale doth crown, with a moft amorous eye, 

* Salutes me every day, or at my pride looks grim, 

* Oft threatning me with, clouds, as I oft threatning lum : 

* So likewife to the eaft, that row of mountains tall, 

* Which we our Englifli Alps may very aptly call, 

* That Scotland here with us, and England do divide, 

* As thofe, whence we them name upon the other fid6, 
' Do Italy, and France, thefe mountains here of ours, 

* That look far ofFlike clouds,{hap'd with embattel'd towers, 

* Much envy my efbte, and fomewhat higher be, 

* By lifting up their heads, to flare and gaze at me. 
•Clear Darwent dancing on, I look at from above, 

* As fome enampur'd youth, being deeply ftruck in love^ 

* His miflrefs doth behold, and every beauty notes ; 

* Who as Ihe to her fall, through fells and vallies floats, 
^ Oft lifts her limber felf above her banks to view, 
^How my brave by-clift top, doth ftUI heir courfe purfuc. 

•o 

r A ]uU in Scotland, 



* O aU y« topick gods, that do irihafeit fcere^ 

* To whom the Romiins did thofs anciertt altars rear, 

* Oft found upon thofe-*bilb, now funk ihte the foils, 

* Which they for tt-^hJfe left of their vK^lonous fpoiis, 

* Ye Geftti of thefe fiobcis, thefe mountains, and thefe dales, 

* That withpoot (hepfeerds pipes and harmkfs herdfinan*s 

tales 
^Have often pleafed be^i>, ftill guawl ttie day and night, 

* And hoJd me Skidow ftill, -the place of your delight.*' 

This fpeech by Skidow fpoke, the n^ufe mikesfbrth again, 
Towards where the in-born flood^j dear JEdcn entertain. 
To Cumberiand com*n in, from the Weftriferian w^es. 
Where as the readleft way to Carliflcj as (he cafts. 
She with two woodniymphs meets, the firft is great and wid, 
And Weftward Foreft hight ; the odier but a child. 
Compared with her pherc, and Ingle wood is calPd, 
Both in their pleafant fcites, moft happily inftall'd. 

• What Sylvan is there fcen, and be fhe ne'er fo coy, 
Whofe pleafures to the full, thefe nymphs do not enjoy, 
And like Diana's felf, fo truly living chafte? 
For feldom any trad, dbth crofs their way lefs wiafte. 
With many a lufty leap, the Iha^ed fiityrs ftiow 
Them paftime every day, both from the meres below. 
And hills on every fide, that neady hem them in ; 
The blufliing morn to break, but hardly doth begin. 
But that the ramping goats, fwift deer, and harmlefs Ihecp, 
Which there their owners know, but no man hath to keep, 
The dales do over-fpread, by them like motley made ; 
But Weftward of the two, by her more widen'd flade. 
Of more abundance boafts, as of thofe mighty mines. 
Which in her verge (he hath : but that whereby (he fhines, 
Is her two dainty floods, which from two hills do flow, 
Which in her fetf Ih* hath, whofe banks do bound her fo 
Upon the north and feijth^ as tha& (he feems to-be 
Much ploafed with th^iP courfir, and takes delight to (ee 
How Elne upon the foo«h, in fallying .to the fea * 
Confines her: on the north how Wampul On h«r wa]^. 

Her 



SON-G THE THIRTIETH. .M29 

Her purlues wondrous large, yet litmtedt'^aio,v , 
Both falling from her earth into the Irifti nwn^ . 
No lefs is Weftward proud of Wavcr^ iipr 4oth wiiQ 
Lefe praife by her clear fpring, wiiich.tn her courfedochtwiii 
With Wiz, a neater nymph fcarce of the watry kind j • 
And though fhe be but fmall, fo pleafing Waver's mind. 
That they entirely uiix'd, the Irifti fcas embrace. 
But eameftly proceed in our intended race. 

At Eden now arrivM, whom we have left too long. 
Which being com'n at length, the Cumbrian hills among. 
As Ihe for Carlifle coafts, the floods from every where. 
Prepare each in. their courfe, to enteruin her thepe. 
From Skidow her tall fire, firft Cauda clearly brings 
In Eden all her wealth -, fo Petterell from her fprings, 
(Not far from Skidow's foot, whence dainty Cauda creeps) 
Along to overtake her fovereign Eden fweepf , 
To meet that great concourfe, which ferioufly attend 
That dainty Cumbrian queen -y when Gillland down doth 

fend 
Her riverets to receive queen Eden in her courfe, , 

As Irthing coming in from her moft plenteous feturce. 
Through many a cruel crag, though the be forc'd to crawl. 
Yet working forth her way to grace herfclf withal, 
Firft Pultrofle is her page, then Gelt ftie gets her guide. 
Which fpringeth on her fouth, on her feptentrion fide, * 
She crooked Cambeck calls, to wait .on her along, ^ 
And Eden overtakes amongft the watry throng. 
To Carlifle being come, clear Brufcath beareth in. 
To greet her with the reft, when Eden as to wm 
Her grace in Carliflc's fight, the court of all her ftate. 
And Cumberland's chief town, lo thus Ihe doth dilate. . 

* What giveth more delight, (brave city) to tl;iy feat, ' 

♦ Than my fweet lovely fclff a river fo compleat, 

♦ With all that nature can a dainty flood endow, 

♦ That all the northern nymphs me worthily allow 1 
^ Of all their Naiades kind the neateft, and fo far 

^ Tranfgending, that oft-tin^es they in their amorous war, 

♦ Hhv^ 



v:f23fo P 6 Id i^-G^ L b;^i O N: 

Have cflftred by my courfc, and beauties to decide 
The mattery, with her moll vaunting in her pride. 
That hiighty Roman* fort, which of the Pifts we call. 
But by them near thofe rimes was ftilM Sevcrus* wall. 
Of that ^reat emperor nam'd, which firft that workbe- 

- • gan. 
Betwixt the Iri(h lea, and German ocean, 
Doth cut me in his courfe near CarliQe, and doth end 
At Boulncffe, where myfelf I on the ocean fpend. 
And for my country here, (of which I am the chief 
Of all her watry kind) know that (he lent relief 
To thofe old Britons once, when from the Saxons they 
For fuccour hither fled, as far out of their way, 
Amongft her mighty wilds, and mountains freed from fear, 
Arid <rom the Britifli race, • refiding long time here. 
Which in their genuine tongue, themfelves did Kimbri 

name. 
Of Kimbri-land, the name of Cumberland firft came; 
And in her praife be *t fpoke, this foil whofe beft is ipine, 
That fountain bringeth forth, from which the ibuthern | 

Tyne, J 

(So nam'd for that of North, another hath that ftile) 
This to the eaftem fea, that makes forth many a mile, . 
Her firft beginning takes, and Vent, and Alne doth Itnd, 
To wait upon her forth -, but farther to tranfcend 
To thefe.jgreat things of note, which many countries call 
Their wonders, there is not a traft amongft them all, 
Can (hew the like to mine, at the lefs Salkeld, near 
To Eden's bank, the like is fcarccly any where. 
Stones feventy-feven ftand, in manner of a ring. 
Each full ten foot in height, but yet the ftrangeft thing, 
Their eqiuil diftance is, the circle that compofe. 
Within which other ftohes lie flat, which do inclofe ( 
1 he bones of men long dead, (as there the people fayi) 
So near to Loder's fpring, from thence not wr away, i 

'Be 

f See to the 29 long. j 



SOKG the thirtieth. 1234 

* Be others nine foot high, a mile in length that run^ 

* The viftories for which thofe trophies were begun^ 

* From dark oblivion thou, O Time, lhouki*ft have 

protefted ; 
*Formighty were theirmindsj them thus that firfterefted: 

* And near to this again j there iS a piece of ground, 

* A little rifing bank, which of the table rounds 

* Men in remembrance keep, and Arthur's table name/ 
But whilft thefe more and more^ with glory her inflame^ 
Suppofing of herfelf in thefe her wonders great^ 

All her attending floods, fair Eden do intreat^ 
To lead them down to fea^ when Leven comes along^. 
And by her double fpring^ being mighty them among> 
There overtaketh Eflcj from Scotland that doth hie^ 
fair Ecen to behold, who meeting by and by^ 
Down from thefe wefterri fands into the fea do fall^ 
Where I this Canto end^ as alfo therewithal! 
My El-gland do conclude, for which I undertook 
This flrange Herculean toil, to this my thirtieth boolcu 



ND of the liirdVoLVMEi 




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